NCJ Number
177261
Date Published
1997
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This report examines concealed handgun laws, with emphasis on the concept of self-defense and on research about the effectiveness of these laws.
Abstract
Studies on the beneficial impact of concealed firearms have generally focused on their use for self-defense, on crime indicators such as rape and robbery, and on psychological variables such as personal security and peace of mind. The present study focused on the relationships among State concealed handgun laws, the incidence of violent crime, and State laws on purchasing, and on public attitudes toward concealed handguns. Results revealed that States with the least restrictive laws on concealed handguns generally have higher rates of violent crime and murder than do States with stricter handgun laws, but no causal links have been established. The available data are unclear regarding how widely handguns are currently used for self-defense. However, polls reveal that the public generally disapproves of laws making it easier to carry concealed handguns. In addition, States with the least restrictive concealed handgun laws are generally the most likely to produce guns that are exported to other States and used in a crime, according to statistics from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. In California, people living in rural counties are more likely to be granted a concealed handgun license than are people living in moderate to large urban counties. Figures, tables, footnotes, and reference notes