NCJ Number
212225
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Dated: Autumn 2004 Pages: 289-303
Date Published
2004
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the rates of legal concealed handgun permit holding, distinct from the simple ownership of a firearm.
Abstract
One of the most basic assumptions about gun ownership is that people obtain guns for hunting or for protection. This study focuses specifically on the holding of concealed weapon permits. Using data from Louisiana State Police records on concealed weapon permits, the study examined factors related to regional differences in rates of handgun permit holding. The findings show that high reported violent crime rates have no significant effect on the rates of licensing of concealed handguns across parishes. In addition, results show that the median household income is a significant and positive predictor of rates of concealment. While the study indicates that the concealed carry permit policy may be more characteristic of the wealthy than the impoverished, it also indicates new directions for gun ownership research. References