rhubarb
Member
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains on their website statistics concerning criminal convictions of concealed handgun licensees. It is interesting and helpful to show that people licensed to carry concealed commit violent crimes at a small fraction of the rate of the general population.
What about victimization, though? Is a person carrying a concealed handgun less likely to be the victim of a violent crime? I'm sure this is the case, but I'd like to see facts.
It would perhaps be a better argument for concealed carry if we had these statistics from a may-issue state like California. As I understand, in California and New York you must show that you need a gun to protect your life to get a concealed handgun license. The applicant is presumably at higher risk to be a victim of crime. If it could be shown that these licensees were less likely to be victimized, it would be a powerful incentive to secure a license, making concealed carry more widespread.
What about victimization, though? Is a person carrying a concealed handgun less likely to be the victim of a violent crime? I'm sure this is the case, but I'd like to see facts.
It would perhaps be a better argument for concealed carry if we had these statistics from a may-issue state like California. As I understand, in California and New York you must show that you need a gun to protect your life to get a concealed handgun license. The applicant is presumably at higher risk to be a victim of crime. If it could be shown that these licensees were less likely to be victimized, it would be a powerful incentive to secure a license, making concealed carry more widespread.