What are the arguments against concealed carry?
Asked by: Lane Bosco | Last update: March 19, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (37 votes)
Arguments against concealed carry center on increased public violence, including homicides and aggravated assaults, especially with permissive laws that lack strong vetting and training, leading to more dangerous confrontations, increased risks for law enforcement (more officer-involved shootings), and easier criminal access to firearms through theft, with concerns that human emotional volatility makes carrying deadly weapons risky. Critics also argue that the "good guy with a gun" idea often fails in reality, with armed civilians sometimes being killed while trying to intervene or being mistaken for threats by police.
What are the cons of concealed carry?
- Con 1: Constitutional carry eliminates the safety features of permit laws. Constitutional carry eliminates training, background checks, and other safety measures. ...
- Con 2: The Second Amendment does not protect the right to carry a concealed weapon. ...
- Con 3: No one should be allowed to carry a concealed weapon, period.
What are the negative effects of concealed carry?
Studies demonstrate that permitless carry leads to a rise in aggravated assault, rape, robbery, and murder. In a study of concealed carry laws, violent crime rates rose up to 15% after 10 years after enactment of the law.
What is the main argument against gun control?
Criminals, by definition, do not obey the law. Gun control laws only affect law-abiding people who go through legal avenues to obtain firearms. Criminals overwhelmingly obtain their firearms through illegal channels and will never be deterred by state and federal laws.
Does concealed carry actually make you safer?
The statistics and evidence are clear: homicide rates are higher when concealed carry permits are more accessible. A study by the NCBI found that “shall-issue laws were significantly associated with 6.5% higher total homicide rates, 8.6% higher firearm homicide rates, and 10.6% higher handgun homicide rates.
Joe Rogan and Pete Dominick Debate Gun Control
What is Mexican carry?
Mexican carry, also known as "loose carry" or "pocket carry," is the dangerous practice of carrying a handgun inside the waistband without a holster, often in the appendix (front) position, to avoid detection or when holsters are unavailable, but it risks accidental discharge due to lack of trigger protection and poor retention. The term originates from 19th-century Mexican civilians defying gun laws by tucking weapons into their pants to hide them from authorities, only retrieving them when needed, according to this Guns and Ammo article and this LAS Concealment article.
What percentage of US citizens conceal carry?
8.2% of American adults have permits.
Outside of the restrictive states of California and New York, about 9.8% of adults have a permit. In sixteen states, more than 10% of adults have permits. Oregon has fallen slightly below 10% this year. Indiana has the highest concealed carry rate — 23.1%.
What percent of Americans want gun control?
65% of Americans support stricter gun laws, according to a CBS News poll with a margin of error of +/- 4%.
What are the pros and cons of having a gun?
There's no sugarcoating it—owning a gun comes with serious pros and cons. It can empower, protect, connect you to tradition, and even bring joy. But it can also harm, burden, and destabilize if handled carelessly or without proper context.
Why do Republicans not support gun control?
Among conservatives, there is the broad belief that the right to own a weapon for self-defense is every bit as inherent and unalienable as the right to speak freely or practice your religion. It's a co-equal liberty in the Bill of Rights, grounded not just in the minds of the Founders but in natural law.
Should you tell people you conceal carry?
Deciding whether to disclose that you hold a concealed carry weapon (CCW) depends on several factors, including local laws, your relationship with the host, and the circumstances of the visit. The following considerations can help guide your decision: Respect the homeowner: Always follow house rules regarding firearms.
What is rule #1 of gun safety?
The first rule of gun safety is to always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, meaning never point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy, and be aware of where it's pointing at all times, even if you think it's unloaded. This fundamental rule ensures that even in an accidental discharge, no injury or damage occurs because the gun is directed towards a safe area, like a backstop.
Why do people want concealed carry?
People choose to obtain a concealed carry permit for personal protection. In today's uncertain world, having the means to defend yourself and your loved ones against potential threats is invaluable.
Does owning a gun increase homeowners insurance?
No, simply owning a gun typically does not increase your standard homeowners insurance premiums, as most insurers don't ask about firearms or factor them into base rates, but you'll need extra coverage (endorsements or separate policies) for higher limits and liability, which will add to the cost, especially if you have a collection or need to cover accidental shootings. Standard policies often have low sub-limits ($2,500-$5,000) for firearm theft or damage, requiring additional coverage for valuable guns.
Is it better to open or concealed carry?
The bottom line here is that by the numbers, in a civilian based defensive shooting the option of open vs conceal carry will make little to no difference. The real lesson is that your firearm may be a tool in your defensive measure, but it is likely that you will have to fight for the right to use it.
What does God say about weapons?
The Bible never forbids a Christian from owning a weapon, but it does offer some principles to consider. First, Christians are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:10). A Christian considering the purchase of a weapon should prayerfully consider if doing so would aid in peace-making.
What are the benefits of carrying a gun?
You have the ability to protect your loved ones and others, so they do not become victims of criminals. You are more cautious. Most people who have a conceal carry permit pay attention to speed limits, are better drivers, act more responsibly, and adhere to laws much more often than people who do not carry a gun.
What are the disadvantages of a pistol?
Pistols have a few disadvantages when compared to revolvers. They are more complicated and have more moving parts. A pistol may use heavier springs that younger and elderly shooters may find difficult to use. Modern pistols usually only fire one shot every time you pull the trigger.
Why don't the US ban guns?
The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." In 1791, the United States adopted the Second Amendment, and in 1868 adopted the Fourteenth Amendment.
What is the most gun-friendly state?
There isn't one single "most" gun-friendly state, as rankings vary, but New Hampshire, West Virginia, Montana, Arkansas, and South Dakota consistently appear at the top for lenient laws, permitless carry (constitutional carry), and lack of sales tax on firearms, with strong protections like "stand-your-ground" laws. These states offer broad rights for lawful gun owners, with New Hampshire often cited as #1 due to its combination of permitless carry for ages 18+, no sales tax, and self-defense protections.
What percentage of Americans carry a gun every day?
Of all handgun owners, 30.3% (95% CI = 28.0%, 32.6%) reported having carried a handgun in the past 30 days. Among those, 38.1% (95% CI = 33.6%, 42.7%) reported doing so every day (Figure 1).
What is the most gun-friendly country?
There isn't one single "most gun friendly" country, but the United States has the highest civilian gun ownership and very permissive laws in many states, while Switzerland is known for its strong gun culture tied to militia service and relatively liberal ownership rules for certain firearms after background checks, and countries like Yemen also have extremely non-restrictive laws, though often with different cultural contexts. Other nations with high ownership or liberal access include Canada, Finland, and Serbia, often linked to hunting or defense traditions.
What is the #1 concealed carry gun?
There's no single "#1" concealed carry pistol, but top contenders consistently include the Sig Sauer P365 (especially X-Macro) for its high capacity in a small size, the Glock 19 for its legendary reliability and balance, and the Springfield Armory Hellcat for its extremely compact, high-capacity design, with the Smith & Wesson Shield Plus also highly favored for ease of use. The best choice depends on your hand size, comfort, and priorities (capacity, size, ease of use).
Is gun ownership decreasing?
Gun ownership trends in the U.S. show a decline in the percentage of Americans owning guns over the long term (since the 1970s/80s), but a rise in the total number of guns, as those who own guns tend to own more of them, with a significant spike in sales during the pandemic. While household ownership rates have fluctuated and seen slight recent dips after the pandemic boom, overall firearm circulation continues to increase, with more guns per person, even as fewer people own them.
Which state has the most concealed carry?
The top 10 states with the highest percentage of concealed carry permit holders are as follows:
- Alabama, 27.8%
- Indiana, 23.4%
- Colorado, 16.55%
- Pennsylvania, 15.44%
- Georgia, 14.48%
- Iowa, 13.82%
- Tennessee, 13.15%
- Florida, 13.07% (residential permits only)