NCJ Number
175883
Date Published
1998
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study provides data on arrests of concealed-handgun licensed holders in Texas and provides information on additional information on specific incidents obtained through research by the Violence Policy Center.
Abstract
The first section of the report details felony and misdemeanor arrests reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety and offers Violence Policy Center analysis of the information. This section also offers detailed information on such common arrests as driving while intoxicated and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Additionally, it offers detailed information on one reported suicide that involved a licensed holder as well as one reported unintentional shooting. From January 1, 1996 to October 9, 1997, the Texas Department of Public Safety received 946 arrest reports that involved Texas concealed-handgun license holders. Of these, 263 were felony offenses. License holders were arrested for an additional 683 misdemeanor crimes. In 1996 concealed-handgun license holders were arrested for weapon-related offenses at a rate 22 percent higher than that of the general population of Texas. In the first 6 months of 1997 the weapon-related offense arrest rate among Texas concealed-handgun license holders was more than twice as high as that of the general population of Texas. Given the findings of this study, the Violence Policy Center recommends against the adoption of "shall-issue" licensing in any additional States, and urges States that have such laws to repeal them. Short of this, this report outlines recommendations for modifying the Texas concealed handgun law. 10 tables