Surprising statistic (to me)...

[Rubone]

I am actually surprised the number is as high as it is. And I don't think that those who live in areas where they feel the need to carry constantly can apply their situation to others and expect it to be the same. Each person is licensed or carries based on their own need, and those needs can vary considerably..

 

[Muss Muggins]

Back when Missouri's various attempts at CCW were being put forward, a fairly significant number of people expressed that they really only wanted to be able to have a pistol concealed in their vehicle. . .

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

As a kid we had rental units all around Ohio State University, by the time I was 10 we had intervened is around 7 rapes/abductions and a few burglaries and one robbery at knife point. That was in the old days when we couldn't CCW. Now we have CCW and are in trouble if we "Hunt" for trouble! I live on the outskirts of Columbus now, and the number of carriers is surprising, but on in town nobody but visitors carries. When you think you have nothing, you don't think it needs protecting? However: The very first CCW shooting/killing in Ohio was in a poor neighborhood by Dayton. Some (3) thugs tried to relieve and old man of his cigarettes, funny what you think is important enough to protect. One thug died, and 2 wounded/jailed finding out what "leave me alone" means! Ivan

 

[ClayCow]

I just took my home state ccw, though I don't carry 24/7 this thread made me want to get my ccw again

 

[gwpercle]

Don't bet the family farm on those poll numbers. A lot of people , myself included, carry but are not about to tell any poll taker they are/do carry concealed. None of their business.
Gary

 

[CO_Kid]

My wife would be in that boat, if she'd ever get her freakin permit. She won't alter her wardrobe around carrying, so it'd almost always be purse or nothing, and she's not keen on carrying a gun in her purse with two kids and the possibility of her purse being stolen.

 

[shouldazagged]

Don't bet the family farm on those poll numbers. A lot of people , myself included, carry but are not about to tell any poll taker they are/do carry concealed. None of their business.
Gary

I think these numbers don't come from polling but from public records of numbers of CCW licenses issued. I could be wrong; but I'm licensed to carry and wouldn't discuss that with a pollster.

 

[Frizzman]

Since I left law enforcement work, I have had two occasions to draw my concealed firearm. One time to prevent being jumped by three dirtbags who were going to try a strongarm on me. The sight of my weapon and the look on my face convinced them to run. The other time involved a large, vicious dog that attacked me and my dog while walking in my neighborhood. A couple hard kicks with my size thirteen boots to his muzzle made him back off and think about it. I drew my 640-1 and yelled "BACK OFF!" in my srongest command voice...He chose to run back the way he came...I was glad that I had gone to the trouble and spent the money to exercise my right of self-defense. If othrers choose not to carry, frankly I don't care. It doesn't effect my well-being. Judging by what I observe in my part of the state, concealed and open carriers are a small fraction of the population. I think if one is not willing to spend the time and money to become competent with their gun, I hope they don't carry a gun in public.

 

[JohnSW]

I think these numbers don't come from polling but from public records of numbers of CCW licenses issued.

Every year, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension issue a huge state Permit to Carry Report. It's all based on factual records, and has nothing to do with any polling.

 

[g-dad]

I wonder how open carry would factor in. I don't know how many states have oc but here in NC you do not need a permit to open carry. However each city, township,hamlet, etc can restrict or limit where you can carry. Some do and some don't. I know people that won't get ccp because they don't like the idea of registration.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I never would have dreamt less than 5% legally conceal carry. And that is just those that can, even less probably do. Guess I never thought about it and that I was in that much of a minority. Any body else surprized at this?

Stay safe, John

I am not at all surprised. Most people go through life completely oblivious to the thought that they may have a dangerous encounter. Most police do not carry off duty if it is not a requirement of their employment, and other categories of people who can carry lawfully, such as permit holders, only carry occasionally. A fun game to play is when in public, try to figure out who is on Condition Yellow, and of those, who is carrying. You will be alarmed at the number of people who roam the "suburban shopping malls" completely unaware and unprepared.

 

[ClayCow]

I am not at all surprised. Most people go through life completely oblivious to the thought that they may have a dangerous encounter. Most police do not carry off duty if it is not a requirement of their employment, and other categories of people who can carry lawfully, such as permit holders, only carry occasionally. A fun game to play is when in public, try to figure out who is on Condition Yellow, and of those, who is carrying. You will be alarmed at the number of people who roam the "suburban shopping malls" completely unaware and unprepared.

Shawn. Is it reasonable to be completely oblivious? I mean the chances of anyone ever encountering a deadly situation is literally the chances of winning the lottery. Sure it is better to be armed and more aware but I don't think it too unreasonable for most people to be oblivious and unaware.

 

[JohnSW]

I mean the chances of anyone ever encountering a deadly situation is literally the chances of winning the lottery.

I've lived in the same suburb for decades, and can't think of a single "concealedcarryworthy" crime that has occurred here. Here, concealed carry would just be an exercise in paranoid silliness.

 

[silentflyer]

No surprise to me, I know far more people with out CCP than with. That's their choice, and I have no problem with that, just leave the honest,legal citizens who do alone.
The one's who don't and don't think any one else should are a different deal,and no I don't think felons and criminals,and crazies should have access to fire arms.

 

[ClayCow]

I've lived in the same suburb for decades, and can't think of a single "concealedcarryworthy" crime that has occurred here. Here, concealed carry would just be an exercise in paranoid silliness.

Yup. And I understand that there is a .0001% chance you might need it where you are, but, there are many other things more likely to happen to you you should be worried about. I've lived in many neighborhoods where people sleep with their doors unlocked, and I've done the same. Sure crimes do hit those areas once every few decades but it's not something people should be losing sleep over imo. I think we judge too many other people at times.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The carry permit data by state is interesting. I knew that about 10% of the adult population in Tennessee had a permit, but was not aware that was a top 5 ranking.

Things sure do change. Prior to Shall Issue, which was passed here in the mid 90s, Tennessee had among the most draconian carry laws in the nation.

Interesting to see Texans not participating much with concealed carry licenses. Maybe that's why they're fighting so hard for Open Carry...

 

[Fastbolt]

Unsurprising, to me, at least.

As a LE firearms instructor I've seen up & down cycles of actively employed cops willing to carry off-duty weapons over the years.

I remember attending some training seminar and hearing of some statistic indicating that no more than 20% of active American cops carried weapons off-duty.

So, it's hardly surprising that private citizens, who don't have to be concerned about invoking peace officer status and taking action in an off-duty situation, might be inclined to carry concealed firearms even less frequently than cops.

FWIW, during the approx 10 years that I occasionally helped teach classes to private citizens who wanted to get CCW licenses, or were looking to renew them, I randomly asked folks about their practices and desires when it came to carrying a firearm with a license.

It was very unusual to find someone who claimed to carry all the time on an existing license, or who felt they'd want to carry all time on a new license. Most said they wanted the option to do so when they felt it appropriate, or felt like doing so.

You wouldn't believe the number of folks who didn't give much, if any, thought to their holsters, either, and settled for some 1-size-fits-all sort of holster which they'd seen on some bargain table, somewhere. (As if this is much different from some cops in their selection of off-duty weapon carry methods. )

 

[Arik]

I have never had a house fire but I have insurance for it & having a cpl (terminology for gun permit in Michigan) & carrying is insurance to me. The saying goes: A gun is like a parachute if you don't have one when you need it O Well.

If you don't expect a fire why not install a fire suppression system in your home? Why don't you have one of those? You never know!

Do you expect a flood? Do you carry scuba gear?

 

[sgtsandman]

It surprises me that the statistic is so low but it would also somewhat explain the lack of enthusiasm by many on protecting everyone's second amendment rights.

 

[ClayCow]

It surprises me that the statistic is so low but it would also somewhat explain the lack of enthusiasm by many on protecting everyone's second amendment rights.

I don't find it surprising. First there are requirements which would weed out some. Secondly there are a lot of gun nuts out there worried about being tracked by the government. Third there is about 200 cost plus class time people have to go through. Among many other things, it doesn't benefit people like me much on a daily basis being in the military as i cannot carry on basr and a lot of people aren't comfortable carrying a firearm. 10% to me is relatively high and 5% is what I expected.

 

[arjay]

Ive though about getting one,though I believe that most of the time I don't need it.On the other hand,when I thought I needed to carry ,I did,legal or not.I also have no interest in being on a list.
I suspect there are a lot like me in the west.

 

[sgtsandman]

I don't find it surprising. First there are requirements which would weed out some. Secondly there are a lot of gun nuts out there worried about being tracked by the government. Third there is about 200 cost plus class time people have to go through. Among many other things, it doesn't benefit people like me much on a daily basis bring in the military and a lot of people aren't comfortable carrying a firearm. 10% to me is relatively high and 5% is what I expected.

There is certainly some validity to what you say.

Thankfully, PA does not charge ($20) so much for a license, as long as you pass the background check, it's issued on the spot and there is no class requirement.

As far as government tracking, PA holds a permanent record on all pistol purchases, so they know you have it/them anyway.

I hear you on the military thing too. Working for the ANG, I can't carry on base either. I don't like it but it is what it is.

Carry, concealed or otherwise is a personal choice and a big step for one to take. Especially with the anti-gun brain washing we get from the media, Hollywood, and some in government.

 

[ClayCow]

I don't care about tracking, government has all sorts of information and biometric data on me. I would never carry not legally, repercussions to me would be too severe. So I just take the time and money to do it legally.

 

[ClayCow]

There is certainly some validity to what you say.

Thankfully, PA does not charge ($20) so much for a license, as long as you pass the background check, it's issued on the spot and there is no class requirement.

As far as government tracking, PA holds a permanent record on all pistol purchases, so they know you have it/them anyway.

I hear you on the military thing too. Working for the ANG, I can't carry on base either. I don't like it but it is what it is.

Carry, concealed or otherwise is a personal choice and a big step for one to take. Especially with the anti-gun brain washing we get from the media, Hollywood, and some in government.

I'm a fairly new gun owner and was pretty much afraid of walking afraid of walking around with a loaded gun. Media doesn't help, little exposure as a kid, and the army certainly makes it a big deal (rightfully in some cases) and makes you paranoid of carrying a loaded gun. Anyways I walked around loaded deployed, that got me desensitized, and within a span of 8ish months I now own 7 guns. We do a disservice to our citizens by creating the fear of guns and not exposing people to it like people once had to be.

 

[sgtsandman]

I'm a fairly new gun owner and was pretty much afraid of walking afraid of walking around with a loaded gun. Media doesn't help, little exposure as a kid, and the army certainly makes it a big deal (rightfully in some cases) and makes you paranoid of carrying a loaded gun. Anyways I walked around loaded deployed, that got me desensitized, and within a span of 8ish months I now own 7 guns. We do a disservice to our citizens by creating the fear of guns and not exposing people to it like people once had to be.

We all go through it. I remember when I first started to conceal carry. It felt weird and I had to fight the urge to check it all the time. Figuring out the right dress and equipment took a while too. Mainly for carry comfortably and to minimize printing as much as possible.

I briefly considered open carry but all these stories about nut cases out there calling the police and filing false reports made the final decision for me. It's just not worth the potential harassment. At home, I'll open carry all day.

 

[rwsmith]

I never wanted to carry.....

I keep guns for HD. I never wanted to carry but I am now strongly considering it to the extent that my next gun purchase will be for carry, whether I decide to use it or not. I still won't like it, but if it's necessary it's necessary.

 

[JohnSW]

A Minnesota statistic:

Total Valid Permits: 161,536

"State records show there have only been five reported cases of permit holders using a gun to prevent a crime since the law went into effect in 2003."

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

It was very unusual to find someone who claimed to carry all the time on an existing license, or who felt they'd want to carry all time on a new license. Most said they wanted the option to do so when they felt it appropriate, or felt like doing so.
p)

That well characterizes a lot of the guys at the Club. Most don't carry much. The carry permit is mostly about avoiding problems going to and from the Club and being able to keep a loaded gun in the car.

Tennessee recently made it legal to have loaded guns in your vehicle without a carry permit. I suspect that will have an impact on new issue and renewal permits.

 

[ClayCow]

Basically why I got my ccw. In case I accidentally broke the law, I'd have the ccw to make it legal. As in wrongfully carrying without the ccw to make it lawful

 

[Fastbolt]

That well characterizes a lot of the guys at the Club. Most don't carry much. The carry permit is mostly about avoiding problems going to and from the Club and being able to keep a loaded gun in the car.

Tennessee recently made it legal to have loaded guns in your vehicle without a carry permit. I suspect that will have an impact on new issue and renewal permits.

I wouldn't bet against you.