CCW: National Total?
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I did a study on this question back in the 90's. The answer I came up with was in states with CCW about 10% of the eligible population has a permit. Of those about 10% actually excercise the privilage the permit is for. As for states with no carry laws......we all know that these folks never carry guns....it would be against the law.
Scott
Scott
CCW
So can we infer from this that in CCW states, about one out of 100 citizens are packing on a given day?
So can we infer from this that in CCW states, about one out of 100 citizens are packing on a given day?
My buddy Dave Markowitz pulled figures in 2004:
Percent of Adults with a License to Carry in each Shall Issue State
7.45% South Dakota
6.79% Indiana
6.76% Pennsylvania
5.23% Connecticut
5.12% Washington
4.34% Idaho
4.10% Utah
3.86% Oregon
3.45% Tennessee
3.15% Alabama
2.72% Florida
2.71% Kentucky
2.67% Wyoming
2.41% Maine
2.18% Arkansas
2.11% Virginia
1.94% West Virginia
1.76% Arizona
1.75% Oklahoma
1.70% Montana
1.70% Michigan
1.62% Texas
1.39% South Carolina
1.34% North Dakota
1.00% North Carolina
0.86% Mississippi
0.62% Louisiana
0.58% Nevada
0.45% Minnesota
0.36% Missouri
0.33% Ohio
0.20% Colorado
0.17% New Mexico <-- Slight correction 12/22/04, per Ken Grubb
See his post for commentary, population and national figures.
http://blogostuff.blogspot.com/2004/12/percentage-of-adults-with-carry.html
Percent of Adults with a License to Carry in each Shall Issue State
7.45% South Dakota
6.79% Indiana
6.76% Pennsylvania
5.23% Connecticut
5.12% Washington
4.34% Idaho
4.10% Utah
3.86% Oregon
3.45% Tennessee
3.15% Alabama
2.72% Florida
2.71% Kentucky
2.67% Wyoming
2.41% Maine
2.18% Arkansas
2.11% Virginia
1.94% West Virginia
1.76% Arizona
1.75% Oklahoma
1.70% Montana
1.70% Michigan
1.62% Texas
1.39% South Carolina
1.34% North Dakota
1.00% North Carolina
0.86% Mississippi
0.62% Louisiana
0.58% Nevada
0.45% Minnesota
0.36% Missouri
0.33% Ohio
0.20% Colorado
0.17% New Mexico <-- Slight correction 12/22/04, per Ken Grubb
See his post for commentary, population and national figures.
http://blogostuff.blogspot.com/2004/12/percentage-of-adults-with-carry.html
Lars Larson, a local talk radio show host was talking about this yesterday (he's very pro-CCW). He said there are about 100,000 permits issued in Oregon. There was a newspaper story a while back however that said a lot of people get the permits "just to have them" in case they stop someday, so who knows how many actually pack 24/7. I got mine 8 years ago but didn't start carrying every day until about a year ago (now I feel naked without). I have a feeling there are a lot of people who carry on themselves or in their vehicle that don't have a permit either (not just bad guys).
An officer in the TX concealed handgun instructors association told me that they found about 70% of the CHLs got it just to avoid problems with car carry.
It's like the issue of all the gun owners - most of time aren't GUN OWNERS in the RKBA sense. Most CCW types aren't tactical whizzes.
I'm amazed by folks I know who buy guns and never have even considered a modicum of training.
It's like the issue of all the gun owners - most of time aren't GUN OWNERS in the RKBA sense. Most CCW types aren't tactical whizzes.
I'm amazed by folks I know who buy guns and never have even considered a modicum of training.
Chris Bird,
in his "The Concealed Handgun Manual," has an appendix in the back that provides a state-by-state breakdown. A few states do not keep centralized records -- the issuing agency is the county sheriff or county judge, and no consolidated number is available.
In his latest edition, Bird shows figures from early 2004, with 2,861,368 licenses issued IN SHALL ISSUE STATES. No centralized figures are available for AL, CO, GA, ME, NV, NH, and WV. No figures are provided for discretionary issue states, which may reflect significant numbers. For example, there are tens of thousands -- or more -- carry licenses issued in upstate NY. And, up until the LEO Safety Act passed, NYC had about 30,000 licenses issued to retired police officers.
A safe guesstimate at this point is that four million adult (18 or 21) Americans are licensed to carry. As was noted earlier, how many actually carry on a daily basis is another question. As is how many more carry in a motor vehicle.
For purposes of comparison, the last time I counted FBI figures, there were about 800,000 commissioned law enforcement officers running around the country with guns.
in his "The Concealed Handgun Manual," has an appendix in the back that provides a state-by-state breakdown. A few states do not keep centralized records -- the issuing agency is the county sheriff or county judge, and no consolidated number is available.
In his latest edition, Bird shows figures from early 2004, with 2,861,368 licenses issued IN SHALL ISSUE STATES. No centralized figures are available for AL, CO, GA, ME, NV, NH, and WV. No figures are provided for discretionary issue states, which may reflect significant numbers. For example, there are tens of thousands -- or more -- carry licenses issued in upstate NY. And, up until the LEO Safety Act passed, NYC had about 30,000 licenses issued to retired police officers.
A safe guesstimate at this point is that four million adult (18 or 21) Americans are licensed to carry. As was noted earlier, how many actually carry on a daily basis is another question. As is how many more carry in a motor vehicle.
For purposes of comparison, the last time I counted FBI figures, there were about 800,000 commissioned law enforcement officers running around the country with guns.
I'll venture to guess that in Connecticut, the reason there is such a high percentage of permit holders is that you need a permit just to purchase a handgun.. 
Massachusetts is a may issue state, and in most towns it is easy to get a LTC A with "all lawful puropses" The town I live in they only give out LTC A ALP. I have one though I don't carry.
Texan With CHL
Well, I definitely do not carry every day: my employer (state of Texas agency) prohibits us from having firearms even in the parking lot at work, much less on our person... (Since we're a "targeted agency", for terroristic attack, according to Homeland Security and the FBI, several 20-somethings--who don't have CHLs--have suggested in meetings that the two or three of us who are known to have them, should be allowed to carry concealed at work... you should've seen the sour looks from Staff... but, at least we have some younger law-abiding citizens, who KNOW I and my co-workers with permits are NOT the problem.)
Sometimes, I don't carry locally on weekends. Sometimes, I do... occasionally just to walk the 1/4 of a mile to the convenience store located in front of my apartment complex. Sometimes, I carry inside my apartment, just for the heck of it.
On trips to my dad's, or for business (whether in my personal truck OR "company car") overnight... ALWAYS. Hardball on the road, switch to JHPs in the motel room, or in town at my dad's. On the lands at my dad's, it's open carry out there: acres and acres outside any city limits, and various FOUR-legged or NO-legged (snakes, rattlers, copperheads) varmits out there... and out there, I'm usually NOT the only one packing a pistol or revolver. On business, the .45 has to stay in the room hidden, can't take it to meetings or training sessions... but, going to supper out in Houston or Austin? Usually there's a .45 on my hip or in my vehicle.
I think a lot of Texas CHL holders, as several have suggested, get the license "just in case"... I've had mine going on 7 years now, wish I'd have gotten it earlier. It's used when it's needed. Several local LE agencies know I carry--PD, Sheriff Dept., County Constables, and the Highway Partol--and none of them, to an officer, have a problem with it.
In Texas, we do have to take and pass a shooting proficency test, and it is timed. I think that is a good thing for those of us who are licensed to carry on our person. I don't think it should be a REQUIREMENT for regular folks just to purchase a firearm, as long as they pass the background check, although, as some said, it sure would be GOOD if folks who purchased a firearm WOULD take the time to learn how to handle it safely... I sure suggest it to non-CHL firearms purchasers.
Our classroom instruction covers everything from criminal law (the handgun carry laws are split between Penal Code and Administrative Code, legally) to tort liability in civil lawsuits ("although our adult child has raped four women and killed three people, he was NOT going to kill YOU when he broke into your domicile, and you SHOT him" type of situation), negligent homicide, third-party homicide, all the nuts and bolts of the dire responsibility of being authorized to carry a weapon concealed in public... because THAT always has the possibility that you may someday have to brandish, or, my God forbid, pull the trigger on someone.
Anyways, I REALLY found some of the statistics in this thread interesting. Texas recently changed some of the gun laws, to try to make it less of a hassle for non-CHL holders to legally "carry" in vehicles. Some jurisdictions are up in arms (no pun intended, but, apropos) over this, and have threatened and made good the threat to have their LEOs arrest anyone they stop who's got a handgun in the vehicle. Texas is also working on a "Castle Doctrine" type of statute... those disgruntled DAs and chief LEOs (most street officers, KNOW where the REAL threat is, and it ain't us) are really gonna love that one.
Y'all take care and be safe.
Mick
Well, I definitely do not carry every day: my employer (state of Texas agency) prohibits us from having firearms even in the parking lot at work, much less on our person... (Since we're a "targeted agency", for terroristic attack, according to Homeland Security and the FBI, several 20-somethings--who don't have CHLs--have suggested in meetings that the two or three of us who are known to have them, should be allowed to carry concealed at work... you should've seen the sour looks from Staff... but, at least we have some younger law-abiding citizens, who KNOW I and my co-workers with permits are NOT the problem.)
Sometimes, I don't carry locally on weekends. Sometimes, I do... occasionally just to walk the 1/4 of a mile to the convenience store located in front of my apartment complex. Sometimes, I carry inside my apartment, just for the heck of it.
On trips to my dad's, or for business (whether in my personal truck OR "company car") overnight... ALWAYS. Hardball on the road, switch to JHPs in the motel room, or in town at my dad's. On the lands at my dad's, it's open carry out there: acres and acres outside any city limits, and various FOUR-legged or NO-legged (snakes, rattlers, copperheads) varmits out there... and out there, I'm usually NOT the only one packing a pistol or revolver. On business, the .45 has to stay in the room hidden, can't take it to meetings or training sessions... but, going to supper out in Houston or Austin? Usually there's a .45 on my hip or in my vehicle.
I think a lot of Texas CHL holders, as several have suggested, get the license "just in case"... I've had mine going on 7 years now, wish I'd have gotten it earlier. It's used when it's needed. Several local LE agencies know I carry--PD, Sheriff Dept., County Constables, and the Highway Partol--and none of them, to an officer, have a problem with it.
In Texas, we do have to take and pass a shooting proficency test, and it is timed. I think that is a good thing for those of us who are licensed to carry on our person. I don't think it should be a REQUIREMENT for regular folks just to purchase a firearm, as long as they pass the background check, although, as some said, it sure would be GOOD if folks who purchased a firearm WOULD take the time to learn how to handle it safely... I sure suggest it to non-CHL firearms purchasers.
Our classroom instruction covers everything from criminal law (the handgun carry laws are split between Penal Code and Administrative Code, legally) to tort liability in civil lawsuits ("although our adult child has raped four women and killed three people, he was NOT going to kill YOU when he broke into your domicile, and you SHOT him" type of situation), negligent homicide, third-party homicide, all the nuts and bolts of the dire responsibility of being authorized to carry a weapon concealed in public... because THAT always has the possibility that you may someday have to brandish, or, my God forbid, pull the trigger on someone.
Anyways, I REALLY found some of the statistics in this thread interesting. Texas recently changed some of the gun laws, to try to make it less of a hassle for non-CHL holders to legally "carry" in vehicles. Some jurisdictions are up in arms (no pun intended, but, apropos) over this, and have threatened and made good the threat to have their LEOs arrest anyone they stop who's got a handgun in the vehicle. Texas is also working on a "Castle Doctrine" type of statute... those disgruntled DAs and chief LEOs (most street officers, KNOW where the REAL threat is, and it ain't us) are really gonna love that one.
Y'all take care and be safe.
Mick
Good Info
Many thanks for the help with this, especially Geekwith a 45.
From what we've seen,it seems safe to project about 3 million permits have been issued nationwide. Also, most of those with a permit do not carry all the time , or even frequently.
Again thanks for the input. Since I retired I have too much time to think up questions.
Many thanks for the help with this, especially Geekwith a 45.
From what we've seen,it seems safe to project about 3 million permits have been issued nationwide. Also, most of those with a permit do not carry all the time , or even frequently.
Again thanks for the input. Since I retired I have too much time to think up questions.
Car Knocker--have to agree with you.
Indiana has a high number, currently about 240,000, but I doubt 10% carry all day every day.
Wish thry did
Indiana has a high number, currently about 240,000, but I doubt 10% carry all day every day.
Wish thry did
MachIVshooter
Member
Percent of Adults with a License to Carry in each Shall Issue State
7.45% South Dakota
6.79% Indiana
6.76% Pennsylvania
5.23% Connecticut
5.12% Washington
4.34% Idaho
4.10% Utah
3.86% Oregon
3.45% Tennessee
3.15% Alabama
2.72% Florida
2.71% Kentucky
2.67% Wyoming
2.41% Maine
2.18% Arkansas
2.11% Virginia
1.94% West Virginia
1.76% Arizona
1.75% Oklahoma
1.70% Montana
1.70% Michigan
1.62% Texas
1.39% South Carolina
1.34% North Dakota
1.00% North Carolina
0.86% Mississippi
0.62% Louisiana
0.58% Nevada
0.45% Minnesota
0.36% Missouri
0.33% Ohio
0.20% Colorado
0.17% New Mexico <-- Slight correction 12/22/04, per Ken Grubb
That would mean just over 10,000. Incorrect. There are nearly 1,000 in Elbert county alone, a county with only 23,000 residents (~.5% of state population). In CO, there is no state record of CCW's issued. Each Sheriff's office keeps their own records, most do not enter into any database.
I would bet Colorado has well over 100,000 permits issued currently (there are right about 4.7 million people in this state)
7.45% South Dakota
6.79% Indiana
6.76% Pennsylvania
5.23% Connecticut
5.12% Washington
4.34% Idaho
4.10% Utah
3.86% Oregon
3.45% Tennessee
3.15% Alabama
2.72% Florida
2.71% Kentucky
2.67% Wyoming
2.41% Maine
2.18% Arkansas
2.11% Virginia
1.94% West Virginia
1.76% Arizona
1.75% Oklahoma
1.70% Montana
1.70% Michigan
1.62% Texas
1.39% South Carolina
1.34% North Dakota
1.00% North Carolina
0.86% Mississippi
0.62% Louisiana
0.58% Nevada
0.45% Minnesota
0.36% Missouri
0.33% Ohio
0.20% Colorado
0.17% New Mexico <-- Slight correction 12/22/04, per Ken Grubb
That would mean just over 10,000. Incorrect. There are nearly 1,000 in Elbert county alone, a county with only 23,000 residents (~.5% of state population). In CO, there is no state record of CCW's issued. Each Sheriff's office keeps their own records, most do not enter into any database.
I would bet Colorado has well over 100,000 permits issued currently (there are right about 4.7 million people in this state)
The car carry view is BS, IMHO. Why - look at Dr. Gratia-Hupp who was one of the leaders of the TX CHL movement. She saw her family murdered in the Kileen Luby's because HER GUN WAS IN THE CAR.
There have been cases where after the shooting started, folks did run out to get the gun and influenced the action - but there were already dead on the ground.
Unless forbidden by law, one should carry. My friends don't, they don't train either. Oh, well.
There have been cases where after the shooting started, folks did run out to get the gun and influenced the action - but there were already dead on the ground.
Unless forbidden by law, one should carry. My friends don't, they don't train either. Oh, well.
Amen, GEM...
I recall how the gun-grabbing/banning libs, THOUGHT they would have a "poster child" in Ms. Susan Grantia... thanks to her good sense, and reason, NOT!!! I am so sad that Ms. Grantia-Hupp, has decided to retire from the Texas Legislature... wrote her a couple of months or more ago, and received a very nice response from her. She has it RIGHT. I wish to my God that she'd have gone to D.C. as a national Rep or Senator, to join with Ms. Bailey Hutchison. But, whatever she decides to do... I will always respect her, and be thankful for her good sense, her reasonable thinking, in the face of what was one helluva tragedy in her early life.
She is, as we Texans say, a good'un. She's not from my District, but, she is loved and appreciated for her strength and good sense. Too bad there aren't more pols like her running around in America. And Texas.
Y'all all take care and be safe.
Mick
I recall how the gun-grabbing/banning libs, THOUGHT they would have a "poster child" in Ms. Susan Grantia... thanks to her good sense, and reason, NOT!!! I am so sad that Ms. Grantia-Hupp, has decided to retire from the Texas Legislature... wrote her a couple of months or more ago, and received a very nice response from her. She has it RIGHT. I wish to my God that she'd have gone to D.C. as a national Rep or Senator, to join with Ms. Bailey Hutchison. But, whatever she decides to do... I will always respect her, and be thankful for her good sense, her reasonable thinking, in the face of what was one helluva tragedy in her early life.
She is, as we Texans say, a good'un. She's not from my District, but, she is loved and appreciated for her strength and good sense. Too bad there aren't more pols like her running around in America. And Texas.
Y'all all take care and be safe.
Mick
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