Strong Standards for Carrying Concealed Guns in Public
Strong Standards for Carrying Concealed Guns in Public
What does it solve?
Carrying guns in public is a tremendous responsibility. States should set strong minimum standards for carrying concealed guns in public to ensure that people who are too dangerous or irresponsible to carry guns in our communities are blocked from doing so.
This can include requiring that a person pass a background check, get a concealed carry permit, and undergo safety training that includes live-fire experience. States can also allow law enforcement to block people who pose a danger to the public from carrying concealed handguns in public. States also decide which out-of-staters may carry concealed handguns within their borders—and they should not allow the carry of guns by people with permits from states with standards weaker than their own.
Myth & Fact
Myth
More guns equals less crime.
Fact
This claim is unsubstantiated by any legitimate evidence. In fact, scientific research—and basic common sense—show the opposite is true: more guns make us less safe. A growing body of research shows that when it is easier for people to carry guns in public, violent crime rates go up. When states passed laws allowing concealed carry for the first time or limiting law enforcement discretion in issuing carry permits, violent crime rates rose by 13 to 15%. And when Arizona repealed its concealed carry permit requirement entirely in 2010—allowing people over the age of 21 to carry concealed guns in public without a permit—the result was an 11% increase the rate of gun injuries and deaths and a 24% increase in the likelihood that a person involved in a violent crime would be shot and killed.
Featured Resources
“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.
State-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.
The 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.
The Truth About “Concealed Carry Reciprocity”
Concealed carry reciprocity would override states’ carefully crafted laws on who may carry concealed handguns within their borders.
All Resources
Strong Standards for Carrying Concealed Guns in Public
All Resources
Road 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 & PolicyArmed 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.
Report
The 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.
Report
A More Complete Picture: The Contours of Gun Injury in the United States
Nonfatal gunshot wounds account for an enormous portion of the gun violence epidemic in America.
Report
Update 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 Sheet
Armed 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 Sheet
Arming Teachers Introduces New Risks Into Schools
Introduction Arming teachers is opposed by school safety experts like law enforcement, and teachers and parents. The American Federation of Teachers and the National Education…
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 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