How many people actually carry concealed?

[vito]

Here in IL where we have no legal concealed carry, but are hoping to get such a law soon, it is amazing to me that in other states where it is relatively easy to get a concealed carry license that so few people actually get the license. And it seems, from comments I have heard, that a significant portion of those with licenses don't actually carry, or at least not routinely. Could it be that when someone carries day after day with nothing happening to them, that the inconvenience of carrying overcomes their desire to carry? My daughter lives in the Dallas, TX area and has told me of several robbery incidents reported in the local media where the criminals robbed folks in broad daylight and escaped without interference. Where were all those gun-carrying Texans that I hear about on this and other forums? Maybe the reason that we are constantly threatened with further restrictions on our gun rights is that so few people are actually making use of these rights. Has anyone heard of a business that posted a no-guns sign, and then changed the policy because they lost too many customers? Makes me wonder about the people like me who are anxiously awaiting, and working for concealed carry in Illinois, if when we actually achieve our goal will it be just a novelty that doesn't really result in large numbers of armed citizens changing the criminal environment in this state? What brought this to my mind was a recent talk with an old friend in Wisconsin where they just achieved concealed carry last year. He has his permit and told me he carries every day, but in conversations with neighbors, friends and co-workers he has concluded that he is the only person he knows who actually applied for and has a concealed carry permit.

 

[beatledog7]

Exactly how many people and exactly which people have a concealed carry permit is and should be a private matter. States that issue them obviously know, but they aren't supposed to share that information.

Whether and in what manner CCW holders respond to various situations is a matter for those holders to decide. It is entirely possible for a person to be trained, armed, and a witness to a crime without even considering drawing his or her weapon.

 

[Robert]

I used to carry everyday but my new job does not allow it. Though I have been known to carry while on
the clock if I am out late at night. Now I carry off and on when I feel the need. I know my city and avoid areas where I am most likely to find trouble. I always carry a knife or some sort and am always aware of my surroundings.

 

[sota]

there's a massive thread on another pistol forum I'm a member of that's been debating this very subject, quite extensively. the gist is...
some carry all the time because they do
some carry some of the time because they do/don't feel like it
some rarely if ever carry because they just don't

carry, don't carry. it's your choice. (regardless of what the laws say.)

 

[Fleetman]

I carry all of the time except when working since it is not permitted....I do keep a firearm in the car though.

I even carry in the house....just a pocket pistol but it would beat harsh language if ever needed.

 

[bradepb]

Just because someone is robbed they are not necessarily going to go all wild west. I think if someone pulls a gun first and demands your money there is very little chance of you getting the best of them. Can you draw and fire before they can pull a trigger?

If I witnessed a robbery there is no way I would just pull a weapon out and try to stop it, unless there is imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm to me.

We have almost 400,000 cpl holders in Michigan and I would be suprised if half carry on a regular basis.

 

[DMK]

I don't know how many carry in my area, but every time I pass the place when they give the Concealed Carry class, the parking lot is packed. They do that like once a month I believe.

 

[BSA1]

It could be as simple as that my part of America isn't as dangerous as yours.

 

[Sam1911]

How would such a question even be answered? Each person has a choice to get their license or permit. Then each person has a decision to make of whether to carry on any given day, and again at each new location they visit.

Then, each person would need to be trusted to answer such a poll both honestly, and also accurately. (For example, I would answer "Every moment that I can." But that would not accurately reflect that MOST days I cannot due to where I work.)

 

[steveracer]

I carry a gun more often than I carry a cell phone.

 

[Al Thompson]

In my state, last I heard, we were closing in on 200k CWPs. SC has roughly 5 million folks, so the ratio is about 1 out of 25 CWP bearers. Add in some of our restrictions and I suspect the daily average is much less.

Tom Givens noted in his class that he heartily recommends carrying when ever you can. IIRC, 60 of his students had emergencies where a gun was needed. 58 of those students prevailed, while the two who were unarmed, sadly, did not.

Food for thought.

 

[huntsman]

Just because someone is robbed they are not necessarily going to go all wild west. I think if someone pulls a gun first and demands your money there is very little chance of you getting the best of them. Can you draw and fire before they can pull a trigger?

If I witnessed a robbery there is no way I would just pull a weapon out and try to stop it, unless there is imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm to me.

+1

I carry everyday all day, carry and using are two different mindsets

 

[Godsgunman]

^^^^ "carry and using are two different mindsets"

I can't agree more. I generally carry everywhere I go, even work but will usually lock in the car during work. I just had surgery on my hand so I haven't been able to carry everyday like normal. Circumstances change from day to day so its not as simple as you think. Just because a state like Texas has a reputation of everyone carrying doesn't really mean everyone does. Also just because someone carries doesn't mean they will never be bested or caught off guard. It takes continual training with the carry weapon, training of your mindset and decision making especially knowing when fighting is the best or only option, or when simple compliance is best and being a good witness so the cops can do their job.

 

[JERRY]

i dont know the breakdown but in the deep south it seems as if 1 in 1,000 have a ccw permit, and out of that number it seems as if only 10% carry on a regular basis....many do so only when they have the clarvoyance to know when they might need it.

heck, i know cops who dont carry off duty most of the time, leaving their gun in truck like it will help them when they arent in it...

im terrible at guessing, so i carry all the time.

 

[Sam1911]

PA has historically seen something like 7% of the population holding the LCTF. For the 2011 census data on population, that would be something over 850,000.

However, with the recent ... excitement ... on the national scene and in some other states, I'd be willing to be that percentage has gone up a bit.

Now, how many carry regularly? How many carry occasionally? How many carry every day? How many just use it as extra legal protection on the way to the range? No possible idea.

Heck, I see folks all the time "bagging" their guns after IDPA matches. Now maybe they're swapping to their compact carry gun later, I don't know, but I kind of wonder what the heck is the point?

 

[tyeo098]

All day every day.

Where I'm allowed to.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Minnesota has about 2-3% with permits. Given my experience teaching the classes, I bet on a high of 10% of active permit holders carry consistently on their person wherever they go, and another 20% carry occasionally, in their car, or when they feel like they might need it.

I carry wherever legal.

 

[CoRoMo]

My daughter lives in the Dallas, TX area and has told me of several robbery incidents reported in the local media where the criminals robbed folks in broad daylight and escaped without interference. Where were all those gun-carrying Texans that I hear about on this and other forums?

'All those gun-carrying Texans that' you heard from on gun forums, makes up what... a couple dozen individuals or so? Three dozen at the most? There's simply no way that one of those specific persons could have, would have, or should have been in one of those locations at the right time. Nor do those twenty or so forum members represent the average Texan or the average Texas CHL holder.

Only what... 2% of Texans have a CHL? Of their numbers, I'd have to venture a guess that only 10% carry routinely. This would mean that only 0.25% of Texans are armed daily; a quarter of one percent of the population, one person out of ever 400 people.

 

[morcey2]

I carry concealed at all times and places where it's legal and I OC whenever it's convenient and useful.

Matt

 

[loose noose]

I carry 24/7, if only my little Taurus .380TLP, after all it beats cussing.

 

[Bullz]

I personally know a lot of people with the permit. None of them carry all the time. In fact, I think only one person I know of will carry some of the time and that's when he's on his motorcycle. Not sure what the deal is there but....

I'm the only person in my circle that carries all of the time - where legally permitted, etc. That said... even those closest to me don't know that I'm carrying. So maybe the same can be said for those people that I know who I think don't carry... hmmm....

We don't really talk about it so concealment is almost akin to secrecy. It's not talked about so it's difficult to truly evaluate.

 

[JustinJ]

Personally i see carrying akin to wearing a setbelt. It's a precaution against an extremely unlikley scenario however over the course of one's life the chances of needing it do go up. While i wear my seatbelt regularly i would not hesitate to drive home mine broke as the chances of needing it on any one drive are incredibly low. For me a gun is sort of the same thing. I carry it as much as possible but don't worry about it at the times i can't.

However, most people i know with a permit don't carry often, if ever. Some do keep a gun it the car although a permit isn't needed to do so in TX. Most seem to find the hassle to be greater than what they first imagined. I have a variety of different carry guns so attire doesn't limit my ability to carry but i don't find it much of a hassle to begin with.

 

[CoRoMo]

Over the years, more than a few permit holders have told me that they acquired a carry permit so that they have 'one more document saying that they have the right to own a firearm'.

Many times in conversations with new permittees, they'll eagerly share that they are going to go take a course and get a concealed carry permit. Then they immediately say something like, "I'm not going to carry or anything, I'm just getting it... cuz ya know... it's just something good to have". It's like an apology when they say this; like they are trying to walk back the remark of getting the permit; like they want to reassure those whom they are sharing this with, that they aren't crazy and don't actually intend to carry a firearm around with them wherever they go.

I think the bulk of permit holders (since the majority don't carry after getting the permit) have similar beliefs.

 

[bandur60]

Full time, except when I know I'm walking (from home) into a place where I "shouldn't" carry; then I trade for a Kimber pepper blaster which is about the same size as my CC. If driving I lock handgun in the vehicle for the time I'm in such a place. Knife (usually two) always and most of the time a small Surefire. Definitely use the latter two the most --- pistol one time, over 12 years ago, 'cuz it was before I had a CCP....

 

[bradepb]

Just checked some numbers. Michigan population is 9,883,360, cpl holders are 379,760. About 1 out of 26 people.

Of the 4 people I know well enough including myself that have cpl only myself and one other carry daily so thats 50%. If you use that info I guess you could figure 1 out of 50 people may be armed legally at any given time.

I guarantee you I can go to areas of Detroit or Flint where the number of armed people is astronomically higher but not legally done. We are still way outnumbered by the bad guys some places.