The United States has become a Carry Nation. Today, 7.14% of all American adults have concealed handgun carry permits. In 15 states over 10% of adults have permits, with the highest rate (22%) in Alabama. In 2018, the number of concealed handgun permits soared to over 17.25 million — a 273% increase since 2007.

Changes in state laws have fueled the large growth in the number of persons carrying concealed handguns. Permits are more readily available. In fact, in 14 states now a permit is essentially not required to carry in nearly all parts of those states.

Here are the findings of the 2018 Center for Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) Report on Concealed Carry Permits. READ Full Report HERE.

— Last year, 2017, the number of permits grew by about 890,000.

— Outside California and New York, about 8.63% of the adult population has a permit.

— In fifteen states, more than 10% of adults have permits, up from just eleven last year.

— Alabama has the highest rate — 22.1%. Indiana is second with 17.9%, and South Dakota is a close third with 17.2%.

— Four states now have over 1 million permit holders: Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

— Fourteeen states have Constitutional Carry, meaning that a permit is no longer required in almost all regions of those states.

More Guns, Less Crime

This graphic shows the huge increase in the number of permits in the past 20 years. And during that period, the incidence of violent crime rate has decreased significantly.

Women and Minorities Exercise Their Carry Rights

The permit issuance numbers continue to grow much faster for women and minorities. Between 2012 and 2018, the percentage of women with permits grew 111% faster than the percentage of men with permits rose. In the same period, the percentage of Asians with permits grew 29% faster than the percentage of whites. Permits for Black Americans grew 20% faster than for whites.

Carry Guard Expo Convention Next Month
Marking the growth in concealed carry permits in the USA, there is now a large trade show dedicated to the concealed carry movement. The NRA’s Carry Guard Expo will be held September 14-16, 2018 in Richmond, Virginia. There will be lectures, seminars, and demonstrations of the latest in carry firearms, holsters and accessories.