Posted on 09/02/2011 9:34:42 AM PDT by marktwain
The number of Pennsylvanians licensed to carry a concealed weapon is close to 1 in 14, considerably above the national figure of 1 in 50.
September 01, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Few topics are as likely to provoke a heated response as concealed carry laws and their effect on crime. Proponents of the laws claim more guns mean less crime. In Pennsylvania, they certainly mean more guns.
Concealed Carry
Since the 1980s, the numbers of citizens licensed to carry a concealed gun has grown from less than a million to 6 million, The Daily Item reported recently. The story notes nearly 1 in 11 people in Synder County has a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
Pennsylvania Above Average
They point out that while 1 of 50 Americans has a license to carry a concealed weapon, in Pennsylvania that number is close to 1 in 14.
In addition, Pennsylvania is an open carry state, which means if the weapon is in plain view; the owner doesn't even need a license.
While concealed permits are relatively easy to obtain, possession of a gun is not without risk. 18 Pa.C.S.A. ? 6105, contains a long list of circumstances that makes it a felony to possess a firearm.
In Pennsylvania, if you have prior mental health commitment, juvenile conviction, or a Protection from Abuse order, it may be a felony to possess a gun. Before you attempt to purchase a gun, you should carefully review the application and the fine print.
A criminal history background check is performed, looking for first-degree misdemeanors and felonies. Juvenile and mental health records are also reviewed and the sheriff is allowed to further investigate and reject for a legitimate reason.
In reality, only 1 percent are rejected. As one sheriff is quoted as saying, "The Second Amendment is pretty strong. You don't mess with someone's guns."
Recent Setback For Gun Rights
Pennsylvania almost become the 26th state to adopt an expanded definition of the "Castle Doctrine," which would allow citizens to use deadly force to protect oneself, family and others while in their home or an occupied vehicle. Gov. Ed Rendell vetoed that bill last year.
Pennsylvania Safer?
For instance, in Pennsylvania, in 2009, according to the Uniform Crime Report (UCP) Program by Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies in 2009, the crime index offenses decreased 5.4 percent from 2008.
Crime Index offenses are considered to be both the most serious and most likely to be reported, and are used nationally as the standard base for comparisons. They include, murder and non-negligent manslaughter, and other violent crimes.
The question is what degree, if any, can the decrease be attributed to Pennsylvania having more guns? The numbers remain inconclusive, meaning the debate will continue.
Article provided by The Law Offices of David S. Shrager
Visit us at www.shragerlawfirm.com
Similarly, here in Texas, where gun ownership is also high, we've been spared from the black flash mobs that have been common in liberal areas where guns are outlawed.
The flash criminals in Philadelphia aren't just innocent children engaging in harmless pranks. These "children" are kids from Hillary's village. They're not waiting for the left wing politicians to steal for them anymore. They've decided to do it themselves.
Licenses are easy to get in PA. This is what the average should be nation wide. 1 in 50 is a disgrace. It just shows the amount of full out Commie Pinko anti gun states we have skewing the data.
Both are large cities governed by Democrats. Both are in deep financial doo-doo, both have bloated payrolls of unionized public mastersservants and both have no-go areas where people of a certain paleface ethnicity are not welcome.
Yet, Philadelphia's crime rate is well above the national average and Pittsburgh's is well below. Do you suppose it could have something to do with the concentration of CCW holders in our part of the Commonwealth?
Excellent point. If you excluded certain areas in and around Pittsburgh whose main ethnicity is not polite to mention, the rest of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County's crime rates would be similar as well.
(Hint: the areas I am talking about start with "W" and "H")
My wife and I and my oldest son are proud to be included in the 1 in 14 percentage of Pennsylvania CCW holders. My youngest son in SC also has a CCW.
It’s also impossible to get a permit in Vermont.
New Jersey facts: population 2010- 8,791,894; carry permits issued or renewed since 2007: 1,595.
Barely a statistical blip, with a magnifying glass!
What the HELL do they not understand about “shall not be infringed”?
Forgot to calculate, in NJ one in 5,512.
You are correct, but a permit is not needed to carry a concealed weapon in Vermont.
Thanks for the reminder.
Vermont...
Isn’t that a trick question, as they don’t require any permit?
Constitutional challenges are proceeding in all three states.
And if you could take about twenty city blocks out of the equation, the number would almost vanish.
St Louis and Camden, New Jersey traded the dubious honor of most dangerous city in the US back and forth for several years.
When CCW permits became available in Missouri in 2004 the city of St Louis and St Louis County delayed accepting applications for 14 months due to a funding technically.
It is ludicrous that Blue States and Blue Cities do everything they can to keep their citizens disarmed and handicapped when it comes to self defense.
Bear in mind.........The bad guys carry without permits.
Can’t even tell I have my Kel-tec .380 in my pocket. (loaded with hollow points)
Made in FL and guaranteed for life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.