Concealed Carry Permit Holders Remain Among America’s Most Law-Abiding Citizens

AmmoLand ^ | June 2, 2026 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

People with concealed carry permits are among the most law-abiding groups in the United States. Police officers have crime rates far below the general population. People with concealed carry permits are more law-abiding than police officers.

The arrest rate for the overall adult population in the USA is about 2,100 – 2,200 per 100k in recent years.  The arrest rate for police officers has been about 170 per 100k. This may be low because no one officially tracks police arrests. Officials may be reluctant to charge police officers. The conviction rate for concealed permit holders is about 17.6 per 100k in Texas, according to an academic paper by John Lott, Moody, and Wang published in 2025. From the paper:

Of the 43,932 total convictions in the Texas DPS 2023 report, only 284 — or 0.6 percent — were convictions of LTC holders, a conviction rate of 17.6 per 100,000.

Convictions are not the same as arrests. Arrests for felonies tend to result in about 65% convictions. Arrests for misdemeanors result in about 45% convictions. A conviction rate is likely to be about half of the arrest rate.  If we double the conviction rate to approximate the arrest rate, concealed permit holders have less than one-fifth the arrest rate of police officers. The arrest rate for concealed carry permit holders is about 1.7% of the arrest rate of the general population.

The Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) sums up how law-abiding permit holders are for convictions of firearm-related violations:

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: banglist; carry; ccw; crime

[marktwain]

Those who wish for a disarmed population paint armed Americans as irresponsible idiots.

The truth is people who legally carry are extremely responsible. They are a national asset.

[ComputerGuy]

TBT, I occasionally cheat at a stop sign.

[MtnClimber]

With so many Constitutional Carry states, it is going to be hard to obtain this type of information in the future.

[redfreedom]

Those with concealed weapons licenses would be more apt to be law abiding considering the back ground checks they go through show they are law abiding citizens. Also, at least in my state, we have to pass a written exam to show we know the laws regarding using weapons and where we can carry concealed.

As far as cops go, I can attest that they have sticky fingers. I used to be a mechanic on generators which were stored in the same building cop cars were. The generators would go to storage with full gas tanks and come out empty.

[marktwain]

Yes. There are still 21 candidates to pass Constitutional Carry.

North Carolina passed it last year, but it was vetoed by the Democratic Party governor. A veto override came up just a little short.

If Wisconsin gets a Republican governor, there is a fair chance of passage there.

If Pennsylvania elects a Republican governor, it could pass Constitutional Carry.

Michigan, Nevada, and New Mexico are long shots.

30 Constitutional Carry States are expected. Given current politics, reaching 33 would be very difficult.

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[kawhill]

Doesn’t surprise me:

“An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Beyond This Horizon

[17th Miss Regt]

You forgot to mention California! (/sarc)

[Señor Presidente]

“North Carolina passed it last year, but it was vetoed by the Democratic Party governor.”

Thanks to another of our “moderate” Dem governors.

I just receive notice to renew my CCL and live in a solid red county. Still requires RE-completing multiple forms, renewed background check, payment of $75 fee, in-person appointment (which must be scheduled by phone 1-2 months in advance before expiration of CCL) at Sheriff’s office half-county away (during business hours, requiring time off work), additional form completion while at appointment, then (I think) a second trip to pick up the renewed license once it is issued.

“Shall not be infringed.”

But showing an official ID to prove your identity at a polling place is an infringement on your right to vote, according to the same people who want CC made illegal.

[Delta 21]

I enjoy being part of the most law abiding demographic in the country. I let others know that and am returned a confused look at what I just said.

[imardmd1]

What about the status statistics for concealed carriers in states where no permit is required?

The insertion of permitting for carry simply divides the carry statistics, does not chamge them much. Maybe skews the number of carriers a bit.

The moral determination of penalties should be unlawful USE of the firearn, NOT making the simple CARRY of a firearm unlawful, nor its type or configuration.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Even more so, they are woefully under-counted, as 29 states are now “constitutional carry”, so no licenses are required.