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Quick google search shows me that in my state (Georgia), about 6% of the population are licensed to carry concealed weapons. So far I've yet to read a single n

by learc83 14y ago

Quick google search shows me that in my state (Georgia), about 6% of the population are licensed to carry concealed weapons. So far I've yet to read a single news story about a group of scared permit holders shooting at each other. If you look at the crime statistics for permit holders, and the number of permits revoked you'll find that concealed carry holders are extremely unlikely to engage in the kind of behavior you assume.

demallien 14y ago
Sure, but you could turn that argument around the other way. With 6% having licenses, how many have been able to stop a mass shooting? Is there a correlation between low mass shooting rates and concealed carry laws?
- learc83 14y ago
  >Sure, but you could turn that argument around the other way. The average number of people killed in a mass shooting stopped by a civilian ccw holder is much lower than those killed in a mass shooting involving police simply because of response time. If an armed civilian is present and is able to stop it, it's usually done before the gunman kills more than a few people, and not end up on the news because of the lack of a 10+ person death toll. That's not to say an armed civilian could stop a mass shooting in all cases, just that when they do it happens faster. Additionally, most mass shootings take place in locations where ccw permit holders are banned from having guns. High schools, colleges, churches, the theater in Colorado. In fact almost every single mass shooting in recent memory has taken place in a gun free zone, and in many states there are very few places left that are gun free zones. During the Texas Belltower sniper mass shooting, civilians returning fire saved many lives because they pinned down the sniper and prevented him from acquiring targets.
brazzy 14y ago
What kind of behaviour is that? And 6% is pretty low, especially since I doubt most permit holders actually carry a gun most of the time. What do you think would happen if there was a credible threat of a gunman running amok in an environment like a university campus (many people but not crowded, lots of cover) where a large percentage of people is armed? Someone gets shot. Everyone draws their guns. How do they identify the killer? What happens to the first person who correctly identifies them and shoots at them?
- Daniel_Newby 14y ago
  There was a mall rampage where exactly this scenario played out. A civilian with a concealed pistol identified the real attacker but hesitated too long to take the shot and was gunned down (by the rampage attacker). In general civilian gun carriers are very hesitant to take even clear shots.
- danielweber 14y ago
  Maybe in your imagination people with concealed-carry permits are a bunch of nuts looking for any excuse to open fire. But that's your imagination. Walking around with a gun drawn is stupid. They aren't going to go "hunting down the gunman." They know that they are a totally legitimate target for the police in that situation.

by learc83 14y ago

demallien 14y ago

Sure, but you could turn that argument around the other way. With 6% having licenses, how many have been able to stop a mass shooting? Is there a correlation between low mass shooting rates and concealed carry laws?

learc83 14y ago
>Sure, but you could turn that argument around the other way. The average number of people killed in a mass shooting stopped by a civilian ccw holder is much lower than those killed in a mass shooting involving police simply because of response time. If an armed civilian is present and is able to stop it, it's usually done before the gunman kills more than a few people, and not end up on the news because of the lack of a 10+ person death toll. That's not to say an armed civilian could stop a mass shooting in all cases, just that when they do it happens faster. Additionally, most mass shootings take place in locations where ccw permit holders are banned from having guns. High schools, colleges, churches, the theater in Colorado. In fact almost every single mass shooting in recent memory has taken place in a gun free zone, and in many states there are very few places left that are gun free zones. During the Texas Belltower sniper mass shooting, civilians returning fire saved many lives because they pinned down the sniper and prevented him from acquiring targets.

brazzy 14y ago

What kind of behaviour is that? And 6% is pretty low, especially since I doubt most permit holders actually carry a gun most of the time. What do you think would happen if there was a credible threat of a gunman running amok in an environment like a university campus (many people but not crowded, lots of cover) where a large percentage of people is armed? Someone gets shot. Everyone draws their guns. How do they identify the killer? What happens to the first person who correctly identifies them and shoots at them?

Daniel_Newby 14y ago
There was a mall rampage where exactly this scenario played out. A civilian with a concealed pistol identified the real attacker but hesitated too long to take the shot and was gunned down (by the rampage attacker). In general civilian gun carriers are very hesitant to take even clear shots.
danielweber 14y ago
Maybe in your imagination people with concealed-carry permits are a bunch of nuts looking for any excuse to open fire. But that's your imagination. Walking around with a gun drawn is stupid. They aren't going to go "hunting down the gunman." They know that they are a totally legitimate target for the police in that situation.