Require Permits to Carry Concealed Guns in Public
Require Permits to Carry Concealed Guns in Public
What does this solve?
It is legal to carry a concealed handgun in public in all 50 states. States have traditionally required a person to have a permit to carry a loaded, concealed handgun in public. States should not allow the carry of concealed guns in public without one.
Although standards and processes vary, permits ensure that certain core public safety standards are maintained, such as requiring that a person has passed a background check and completed firearm safety training before carrying a concealed gun in public. Many states also authorize permit issuers to deny permits to people who pose a danger to the public. These laws promote responsible gun ownership and ensure fundamental public safety standards are preserved when people carry concealed guns in public places.
For over a century, states have recognized the public safety benefits of requiring a permit to carry concealed guns. Yet over the last decade, the gun lobby has been pushing legislation to allow people to carry concealed guns in public places without a permit, background check, or safety training, dismantling the system of responsible gun ownership. Some states have passed laws loosening their permitting standards, and a handful of states have completely eliminated their concealed carry permit requirement. Permitless carry laws lower the bar for who may carry hidden handguns in public and allow untrained and unvetted people to carry concealed guns in parks, shopping malls, crowded town centers, and other public places.
Myth & Fact
Myth
Requiring a permit to carry a loaded, concealed handgun in public violates the U.S. Constitution.
Fact
No federal court has held that requiring a permit to carry a loaded, concealed handgun in public violates the U.S. Constitution.
All Resources
Require Permits to Carry Concealed Guns in Public
All Resources
Paranoia and Profit: Armed Extremism and the Gun Industry’s Role in Fostering It
Meanwhile, the industry works with its political allies to make these weapons available to anyone, anywhere, at any time, demonizing those who want to keep…
ReportNew Data, Same Conclusion: Smart Gun Laws Save Lives
Everytown's Gun Law Rankings show a clear correlation between states with strong gun laws and lower rates of gun violence.
Everytown Research & PolicyRoad Rage Shootings Are Continuing to Surge
Reports of road rage shootings have increased significantly during the pandemic. With easy access to guns, road rage can turn deadly.
Everytown Research & PolicyAt the Forefront of Gun Safety: Removing Illegal Guns
While gun violence continues to spike across the country, illegal gun removal programs provide real hope about progress on new solutions.
Policy PaperArmed Assembly: Guns, Demonstrations, and Political Violence in America
Armed demonstrations are nearly six times as likely to turn violent or destructive compared to unarmed demonstrations.
ReportThe Danger of No-Questions-Asked Gun Sales Between Strangers
These stories are examples of tragedies that could have been prevented if a background check was required when the shooter bought their gun.
Fact SheetThe Role of Guns & Armed Extremism in the Attack on the U.S. Capitol
The attack on the U.S. Capitol is the latest demonstration of the danger armed extremism poses to our democracy.
ReportUpdate Background Check Laws
Updating federal and state laws to require background checks on all gun sales is a common-sense way to keep guns out of the wrong hands.
Fact SheetArmed COVID-19 Protests Exploit Open Carry Loophole
Lawmakers should close the open carry loophole and regulate open carry, particularly at demonstrations held on capitol grounds.
Fact SheetPermitless Carry: Carrying a Concealed Gun in Public with No Permit and No Training
Permitless carry legislation is part of the NRA’s broader agenda to weaken and repeal important gun safety measures.
Fact Sheet“Concealed Carry Reciprocity” Would Force States to Rely On Concealed Carry Permits Issued By States with Ineffective Systems
Some states have such poorly administered permitting systems that many prohibited individuals end up receiving permits to carry.
Fact SheetState-by-State Danger of Overriding Concealed Carry Laws
While all 50 states allow the concealed carry of firearms, standards for carrying vary dramatically across the country.
Fact SheetThe Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act Overrides State Laws & Puts Communities at Risk
Concealed carry reciprocity would force each state to recognize the concealed carry standards from all other states.
Fact Sheet“Concealed Carry Reciprocity” Forces States to Let Domestic Abusers Carry Concealed Handguns
While “concealed carry reciprocity” would effectively repeal existing state protections against abusive dating partners, legislation from Sen. Klobuchar and Reps. Donovan and Dingell would protect…
Fact SheetThe Truth About “Concealed Carry Reciprocity”
Concealed carry reciprocity would override states’ carefully crafted laws on who may carry concealed handguns within their borders.
Fact SheetConcealed Carry Permits are Nothing Like Driver’s Licenses
Myth Concealed carry permits should be treated just like driver’s licenses. Just like a person licensed to drive in any state, a person allowed to…
Fact SheetGuns in Bars
Guns and alcohol don’t mix. There is strong evidence that people under the influence of alcohol are at an elevated risk of violent behavior.
Fact Sheet