Does anyone know how many people currently have their CHL in Texas and even nationally. It would be interesting to find out how many people around the US is an active CHL carrier. thx.
Even if you knew how many permits were issued nationally, it isn't going to be accurate. Remember Vermont and Alaska do not require a permit to carry concealed, and many states allow open carry without a permit.
Not all people who have a license to carry concealed do so on a daily basis, and given the nature of "concealed" (aka hidden, not obvious, inconspicuous) carry, counting permits is a poor gauge.
The # of folks in PA with PA LTC is comparatively high. Over 5% I think.
Always remember that we are still a very small percentage of the total U.S. population.
I don't believe the Second Amendment has much to do with concealed carry of short-range personal defensive weapons. The Second Amendment has more to do with rifles. As Lt. Col. Cooper indicated, good men with rifles are difficult to tyrannize. The ability to carry personal defensive weapons is a much more fundamental right than the Second Amendment, rooted in the right to self-defense. Yes, these rights should indeed both be defended vigorously. But, you don't fight tyranny with a pocket pistol.
I agree that 2a is far larger than just SD and CCP holders.
Therefore it is very hard to predict the real numbers.
I have heard that there were comments from high ranking military persons from China or the old Soviet Union, that said something to the effect that there would not be a land invasion of the US because of 2a and how they have no way of determining just how armed the population really is.
(Sorry, I can't back that up with facts. Just something I remember hearing once.)
On the hunting note, I understand that there are "organizations" that pose as pro hunting, but are anti SD or even anti gun. For that reason we do have to all stick together.
Thanks guys for all your post i was just trying to get an idea on the numbers of people that actually caried a sidearm and i took no offense to anyone. However i will have to disagree to (rexster).. The 2a says we have the right to bear "arms" it doesnt say long arms or rifles. Like mentioned in above post we also have a right to protect ourselves. By saying that the 2a means only rifles is very dangerous because we are right this very minute facing another assault weapons ban because some feel we dont need that type of guns. and by saying that the 2a is meant for long guns just adds to their argument. I meant no harm in the way i titled the post and im not trying to divide gun owners I just believe that everyone that can, should be able to carry a sidearm. And yes i agree that no matter if you cc,oc or just hunt we all need to stick together.. Thanks guys...
paramedic, your right. As of now it is a privilege but it should be your right wether you cc or oc because 2a says "the right to bear arms " and not "the right to bear arms" only if you oc or only if you cc or only at your house or only if you hunt or only if you sport shoot ,well i kinda got hung up you get the idea.
I don't know what the numbers are in Missouri, but I would have to guess a fair amount based on the number of folks picking up their CC's at the sherriff's office!
Seems like EVERYONE in my area is getting their CCW permits, and I say that is GREAT!!!
Suffolk County, NY has about 1.4 million people and I believe the number of active pistol licenses is about 25,000 so we're talking about less then 2% of the population that LEGALLY owns a handgun (not counting LEO's). Of those a very small percentage have full carry licenses based on conversations I've had with many over the years.
My guess is there is a higher percentage that own long guns but based on my knowledge of friends, relatives, co-workers it probably amounts to only another 6% ~ 10% of the general population.
On the flip-side I would imagine that in some states the percentage is much higher (well above 50%).
The downstate portion of NY is woefully ignorant and unappreciative of our 2nd amendment rights.
There are several versions of the text of the Second Amendment, each with slight capitalization and punctuation differences, found in the official documents surrounding the adoption of the Bill of Rights. One such version was passed by the Congress, which reads:
“ A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. ”
Another version is found in the copies distributed to the States, and then ratified by them, which had this capitalization and punctuation:
“ A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. ”
The original hand-written copy of the Bill of Rights, approved by the House and Senate resides in the National Archives.
While my "right" to own, use, and amass ( collect / store ) firearms is guaranteed by this amendment...amendments can and have been repealed in the past ( 18th Prohibition...repealed by the 21st )...we do pay for the "privilege" of carrying firearms concealed...in order to comply with laws that We the People never had a chance to vote on...cannot appeal...and will remain in force until the next revolution...and having siad that... I'm willing to pay to remain legal, stay out of jail, not lose my job and keep other said privileges.
Next time we will have to change that...viva the revolution!! :hand5:
Stats on this have been posted and discussed here before.
Various states including specifically Texas do provide hard up to date current numbers toward persons who are licensed/permitted including further detail in Texas of crimes committed by said persons, which generally are less than a percent of those who are licensed/permitted.
IIRC from last year the stats in TX indicated just over 2% of citizens were specifically licensed/permitted for carry. Though that is not an accurate reflection as in regard to 2A rights considering every state citizen can use a firearm in defense of their property and self in TX...and does not include hunting licenses issued which are additional and also an active practice application of 2A rights. Nor does it count participants in various types of gun games nor members of the military, LEOs, and citizens who have attended a firearm training course of any type. Again all 2A rights supportive and related.
The DoJ also has an annually updated detail of firearm permit/license holders and again as I recall from last year the 2007 numbers including the _totallity_ of all state citizens in states such as Alaska and New Hampshire where no permit is required for in state residents that the whole of the potential possible in a best case scenario method of calculation worked out to be in the low 2% rage against all known US citizens per Census estimations. I recall the number being something like 2.1 or 2.2%.
I'd posted a thread about this at another site 2 or 3 yrs. ago citing specific references and sources for this kind of info and analysis.
The numbers are far lower than many people suppose to be the case, and again that's including whole state populations like AK and NH as on the basis of in theory they could if every man, woman, and child in that state made the active choice to do so which basically would never become the case.
Real numbers of how many state law allowed/permitted/licensed persons do actually carry in specific and/or keep a firearm in their home for specific use of protection is a statistic that can never be validated. You have people who do not actively carry but every so often when they think they are going to a "bad area of town". While there are others who keep a gun in their home for protection but it's in it's box, or stored in the back of some closet behind decade old sports equipment and old shoes, or is rusting in some drawer untouched for years if not decades. Then there are all of the unlawful acting and criminal intent persons too who also do actively carry or keep firearms on their person or in their home. They too are citizens and the 2A is applicable to them as well regardless of what state and Federal laws might be toward firearm and ammunition regulation. There is no way to with any accuracy at all document those persons either.
The real world number or percentage is an unknown and never will be known.
"About 40% of America's households own at least one firearm. The prevalence of ownership differs geographically, ranging from 25% in the Northeast and 35% in the Pacific states, to 60% in the East South Central Census division."
The 25% number for the Northeast includes what I believe is a very low number for downstate NY versus relatively high numbers for upstate NY, NH and VT.
It's a real surprise to me that handgun ownership in Texas would be as low as 2.2%
It's estimated that there are 80 million homes with legal guns in them in the USA (roughly 1 in every two occupied places of residence), but I would venture to guess that less than 25% of these have concealed carry licenses.
I use my 2nd Amendment rights every day and am darn proud of it!
When I travel to & from work I open carry whenever possible. No one questions a security guard carrying a gun here in Las Vegas. I visit any place I need to visit with my G26 at my hip. I have yet to have anyone question me as to my gun. I can only assume they think it's used for "on duty" purposes. I work "unarmed" so I lock the my glock in my truck if I can be in my truck while at work.
When I'm nor working I always CC. I waited over 20 years to apply for my permit. Now I'm sorry that I didn't make the decision to do this sooner.
On a slightly different subject I started a thread for a first time handgun owner. My younger brother Dave wanted some information on a first time gun. Keep in mind he's a young 42 years old. Once I sat down with him and explained all the issues of handgun ownership he had second thoughts.
He decided that he was not ready to have a handgun in his home. When I "cornered" him on the subject that he may actually have to take a life in self defense he had a sudden epithany about handgun ownership. He thought that just pointing a gun at someone will stop someone from harming him.
He came to the realization that he could not take a life. I give him credit for reaching this decision. It's not just having a gun in your home, but, it might come down to taking a life in self defense. He decided that that was too much of a decision on his part. I give him ALOT of credit for coming to this decision.
Maybe one day he'll have a different mindset. For the time being he's not ready to have a handgun in his home. Thanks for those who offered their advice on this subject.
I used my 2nd amendment rights this past weekend and bought a Mauser at the gun show in St. Charles.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Defensive Carry
5.4M posts
117.5K members
Since 2004
A forum community dedicated to defensive firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about everyday carry, optics, holsters, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!