What is the best estimate now for the number of Americans with CCWs?

[GreenStormCloud]

I have been using 8 million for a couple of years. But the last two years have seen a tremendous increase in CCW applications. Texas and Florida alone have about 1.2 million active permit holders, so one would suspect the national figure to be higher than 8 million. My Google-Fu isn't doing so hot on that question. Does anybody have a recent, good number?

[safeinOhio]

1. I was thinking about the low crime rate

among licensed CCW holders and how the problem is with all the others with hand guns. I would think that would make a good case for the same requirements for having a CCW being extended to all handgun owners. That way we would have the extra training in handgun handling, better training on the laws of hand gun use and more extensive background checks on all handgun owners and further reduce crime. Also, that would make all legal handgun owners legal to conceal carry.

[YllwFvr]

3. no training required here

I would agree with mandatory training if it then made it a nationwide ccw

[lawodevolution]

4. Or we can just hand out anyone who passes a NICS check a CCW permit automatically

[RSillsbee]

5. I agree

same requirements for ownership as for carry. As long as we use Vermont's requirements for carry.

(back door gun control is still gun control)

[GreenStormCloud]

8. So do you have an estimate of how many have CCWs? N/T

[Bold Lib]

10. Would you also advocate such "testing" in order to be able to vote?

Or is one civil right more equal than another?

[lawodevolution]

11. This is why I support constitutional carry, the anti gun people are now looking

To use CCW permits as a means to oppress gun ownership. CCW permit systems are a great way to prep the population for constitutional carry and I'd support keeping them if there wasn't a risk that anti gun groups will try to abuse them.

[Bold Lib]

12. I see your point on that. I relate the CCW to the car licensing requirements

many anti's like to throw out. I'm sure you've seen it "You have to get a license and insurance to drive a car". But as you know that is not correct. You need a license and insurance to drive on PUBLIC streets, but not to own or drive on private land. I've likened that analogy to carrying in public.

I can see both sides of the argument on public carry. I understand the importance of a person that chooses to carry to know the laws of force and deadly force. I also understand the concept of constitutional carry. I believe that when it comes to open carry it is a constitutional matter. But in concealing arms there may be legal wiggle room for licensing.

just my .02

[Smokewagon]

2. I'm like you

In that 8 million is probably close. I've heard 5 million for a couple of years, but with the explosion in concealed carry permits, it's got to be higher. Texas alone is just shy of half a million by last statistics.

[DWC]

6. I researched this in January

Including off duty LEOs and extrapolating for those State populations with no data, I came up with an estimate of 9,800,000.

But the really correct answer is Not Nearly Enough.

Semper Fi,

[GreenStormCloud]

7. Thanks. I will go with 10 million then. N/T

[PavePusher]

9. Careful there, someone will point to you and screech about...

"guns for eveyone, everywhere, all the time".

Or some other such utter nonsensicalness.

:hide:

[Bold Lib]

13. Great info, thanks for sharing it.

[Hoyt]

14. 300+ Million don't have need for a permit to carry in public.

[GreenStormCloud]

15. Many of them don't have a choice.

Almost half the population still lives in CCW restrictive states. So it is dishonest of you to count all of them as not wanting a CCW.

Further, 87 million are too young. It is dishonest of you count them as not wanting a CCW.

Then there are unknown number who can pass the FBI screening. It is dishonest of you to count them too.

[Hoyt]

16. OK, just for you -- 80+ million that could carry, say "no, not necessary, not good for society."

Point is, your gun carrying fetish is not common -- well, except at TBag rallies.

[GreenStormCloud]

17. OOPS. Meant to say, "...who CAN'T pass..."

Too late for edit.