CLAIM:
Overall, Concealed Carry Killers documents 722 fatal, non-self defense incidents since May 2007 in 40 states and the District of Columbia, resulting in the deaths of 921 people. Thirty-one of the incidents were mass shootings as defined by federal law (three or more victims), resulting in the deaths of 147 victims. At least 17 law enforcement officers have died at the hands of concealed carry killers since May 2007.
Because there is no comprehensive recordkeeping of deaths involving concealed handgun permit holders and many states in fact bar the release of such information, the examples on Concealed Carry Killers are taken primarily from news reports along with the limited information collected by a few states. Hence, they likely represent a fraction of actual events.
In the vast majority of the 722 incidents documented in Concealed Carry Killers (603, or 84 percent), the concealed carry permit holder either committed suicide (295), has already been convicted (235), perpetrated a murder-suicide (56), or was killed in the incident (17). Of the 89 cases still pending, the vast majority (75) of concealed carry killers have been charged with criminal homicide, four were deemed incompetent to stand trial, and 10 incidents are still under investigation. An additional 30 incidents were fatal unintentional shootings involving the gun of the concealed handgun permit holder.
REBUTTAL:
The Violence Policy Center (VPC) report, More Than 900 Non-Self Defense Deaths Involving Concealed Carry Killers Since 2007, presents several misleading claims about concealed carry permit holders. Here’s a breakdown of the key issues:
1. Claim: Concealed Carry Permit Holders Are Responsible for 921 Deaths Since 2007
Rebuttal: This Number Lacks Context and Is Statistically Insignificant
- The U.S. has over 22 million concealed carry permit holders (CRPC, 2023).
- Even if 921 incidents occurred over 16 years, that equals 57 deaths per year, which is statistically insignificant in comparison to overall firearm-related deaths (~40,000 annually).
- Concealed carry permit holders are one of the most law-abiding demographics—they commit crimes at far lower rates than even law enforcement officers (CPRC).
2. Claim: 31 Mass Shootings Were Committed by Concealed Carry Holders
Rebuttal: The Report Includes Suicides and Domestic Disputes, Not Just Public Mass Shootings
- The FBI defines mass shootings as four or more killed in a public setting, not domestic disputes or gang-related violence.
- The VPC report lumps together domestic incidents, workplace violence, and personal disputes, falsely framing them as mass public shootings.
3. Claim: Concealed Carry Permit Holders Frequently Commit Homicide
Rebuttal: Permit Holders Commit Crimes at Exceptionally Low Rates
- Multiple studies confirm that concealed carry permit holders have lower crime rates than the general public.
- A Texas Department of Public Safety report (2018) found that CCW holders commit firearm crimes at a rate of 0.2 per 100,000 permit holders, far lower than the general population.
- FBI crime data shows that criminals overwhelmingly obtain their firearms illegally, rather than through legal concealed carry.
4. Claim: Concealed Carry Laws Increase Violent Crime
Rebuttal: Multiple Studies Show No Clear Connection Between CCW Laws and Crime Rates
- The 2014 Stanford study cited by VPC is contested, with many criminologists arguing it fails to control for socioeconomic factors affecting crime.
- A National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) study found no conclusive link between CCW laws and increased violent crime.
- States with shall-issue concealed carry laws (e.g., Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania) have not experienced higher crime rates than restrictive states.
5. Claim: Justifiable Homicide with Firearms Is Rare
Rebuttal: Defensive Gun Uses (DGUs) Are Vastly Underreported
- The VPC report claims only 211 justifiable homicides occurred in 2013, yet this ignores millions of defensive gun uses per year.
- CDC studies estimate 500,000 to 3 million defensive gun uses annually, most of which do not result in a fatality.
- The FBI only records justifiable homicides, meaning non-fatal DGUs are completely omitted from these statistics.
Conclusion
- The VPC report is highly misleading and exaggerates the risks of concealed carry by lumping together suicides, domestic violence, and unrelated incidents.
- Concealed carry permit holders commit crimes at an exceptionally low rate, often lower than law enforcement officers.
- The FBI and CDC data support the effectiveness of defensive gun use, contradicting VPC’s claims.
- The vast majority of violent crimes are committed by individuals who are not legally permitted to carry a firearm.
RI Specific Data:
yes please
ChatGPT said:
Rhode Island maintains stringent regulations for obtaining concealed carry permits, aiming to ensure that only qualified individuals are authorized to carry firearms in public. The state offers two primary avenues for obtaining such permits:
- Local Authorities: Under Rhode Island General Law §11-47-11, local licensing authorities (typically municipal police departments) are mandated to issue concealed carry permits to applicants who:
- Are at least 21 years old.
- Have a bona fide residence or place of business within the respective city or town, or reside within the United States with a valid permit from another state.
- Demonstrate a “proper reason” for carrying a handgun, such as a credible fear of injury.
- Are deemed “suitable” persons.
This statute emphasizes a “shall issue” framework, meaning that if applicants meet the specified criteria, local authorities are compelled to grant the permit.
- Attorney General’s Office: Per Rhode Island General Law §11-47-18(a), individuals can apply directly to the Attorney General for a concealed carry permit. This pathway operates under a “may issue” standard, granting the Attorney General discretion in issuing permits based on:
- The applicant being at least 21 years old.
- A demonstrated “proper showing of need” to carry a firearm.
- Certification of the applicant’s proficiency with the specific caliber of firearm they intend to carry.
This dual permitting system was affirmed as constitutional and remains unaffected by the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen.
Regarding the conduct of permit holders, Rhode Island law stipulates that any concealed carry permit can be revoked for “just cause” by the issuing authority.
This provision ensures continuous oversight and accountability.
While specific statistical data on crimes committed by concealed carry permit holders in Rhode Island is not readily available, national research provides context. Studies indicate that individuals with concealed carry permits generally exhibit lower rates of criminal behavior compared to the general population. For instance, data suggests that permit holders are approximately 5.5 times less likely to commit violent crimes.
In summary, Rhode Island’s rigorous application process and oversight mechanisms for concealed carry permits are designed to minimize potential risks associated with public firearm carriage. The available evidence suggests that permit holders are less likely to engage in criminal activities, reflecting the effectiveness of the state’s regulatory framework.