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GAO: America has 118 million pistols, 8 million conceal-carry permits
washingtonexaminer.com ^ | 26 July, 2012 | Paul Bedard

Posted on 10/15/2012 9:25:02 AM PDT by marktwain

In a new report heralded by the NRA, the General Accountability Office finds that the numbers of Americans with permits to carry a concealed weapon has surged and virtually every state now allows pistols to be carried under garments or even in a car glove box.

"The number of states allowing concealed carry permits is increasing," said the GAO.

The report included two shocking numbers:

-- There are currently 118 million handguns in America, either owned or for sale.

-- Some 8 million Americans already have a concealed carry permit, about 1 million more than previously thought.

The report found that permits are not available only in Washington, D.C. and Illinois and that some states have huge populations of conceal carry permit holders. For example, in South Dakota and Georgia, about 10 percent of the population has a permit. In Virginia, 279,000 have them but in Maryland only 12,000 can legally carry a concealed weapon.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2012; 2012issues; banglist; ccw; donttreadonme; freedom; liberty; permits; pistols; youwillnotdisarmus
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So about 2.57 percent of the population have concealed carry permits. That is over six percent of voters, a very significant numer.
1 posted on 10/15/2012 9:25:10 AM PDT by marktwain
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To: marktwain

This in none of the GAO’s business.


2 posted on 10/15/2012 9:29:35 AM PDT by rsobin
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To: marktwain
How does the GAO know?

Why do they care to know?

3 posted on 10/15/2012 9:30:12 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: marktwain
What the Examiner finds "shocking", many of us find quite reassuring.
4 posted on 10/15/2012 9:30:20 AM PDT by andy58-in-nh (Cogito, ergo armatum sum.)
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To: marktwain
Wish I saw more signs like this...


5 posted on 10/15/2012 9:30:28 AM PDT by Daffynition (Self-respect: the secure feeling that no one, as yet, is suspicious. ~ HLM)
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To: marktwain

I’m shocked so many are unarmed.


6 posted on 10/15/2012 9:31:07 AM PDT by 1_Rain_Drop
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To: marktwain

Fortunately, there are many more gun owners than just CCW folk.


7 posted on 10/15/2012 9:33:09 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (God, family, country, mom, apple pie, the girl next door and a Ford F250 to pull my boat.)
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To: Daffynition

“I like coffee AND guns!”

Said a round, green bumper sticker mocked up to look like the Starbucks logo....a mermaid with both pistols drawn.

....on the back of a young lady’s SUV as she pulled into Joint Base Lewis McChord last night.


8 posted on 10/15/2012 9:35:40 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie (You didn't build that. The private sector is doing fine. We tried our plan and it worked.)
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To: marktwain

Here it is. Slightly different.

9 posted on 10/15/2012 9:36:44 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie (You didn't build that. The private sector is doing fine. We tried our plan and it worked.)
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To: marktwain

Some Aussie was here the other day suggesting that this country would soon be like France (and their problem with feral Moroccan toughs) and parts of London: Muslim youths harassing women with uncovered heads on the street, bullying old people on buses; staking out sections of cities as Sharia zones, etc..

Anyone have the video of the old coot gunning down two of Holder’s yutes in a bingo parlor? Eight million concealed weapons permits doesn’t necessarily make for a polite society, but we all recall Samuel Colt’s famous quote and, as well, it reminds us of the founding fathers’ prescience. Coming soon—America alone.


10 posted on 10/15/2012 9:37:48 AM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives)
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To: Paladin2

They probably have access to the states databases.


11 posted on 10/15/2012 9:37:48 AM PDT by stuartcr ("When silence speaks, it speaks only to those that have already decided what they want to hear.")
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To: stephenjohnbanker

Its a start. we need more shocking numbers than this. of course this isn’t including large arms. ;)


12 posted on 10/15/2012 9:37:48 AM PDT by Gasshog
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To: 1_Rain_Drop

I prefer a carry that actually hurts my hands to fire at the range. I want that first one to hit hard, and completely. I want it to be a natural instinct.

My goal at the range is not the bulls eye. It is to hit a silouette at 10 yards in the ‘hurt badly’ area. Three shots: center mass twice, then head.


13 posted on 10/15/2012 9:37:53 AM PDT by Gaffer
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To: marktwain

“Gosh, I wish we could reduce the number of guns in America,” said no Constitution-loving-American, ever.


14 posted on 10/15/2012 9:38:06 AM PDT by Lazamataz (WAAAAAAAAAHHHhhhhh.....)
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To: 1_Rain_Drop

Collateral Damage.


15 posted on 10/15/2012 9:39:07 AM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie (zerogottago)
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To: marktwain

I really like the “or even in a car glove box” statement! I happen to carry both on my person AND even in my car glove box - can never be too prepared ya know.


16 posted on 10/15/2012 9:39:34 AM PDT by msrngtp2002 (Just my opinion.)
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To: marktwain

Yeah, shocking low numbers. Most of the rest must have been lost in various boating accidents.


17 posted on 10/15/2012 9:39:39 AM PDT by Truth29
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To: stephenjohnbanker

And many more unregisterd guns too.


18 posted on 10/15/2012 9:39:56 AM PDT by ruesrose (It's possible to be clueless without being blonde.)
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To: marktwain
So about 2.57 percent of the population have concealed carry permits. That is over six percent of voters, a very significant number.

And that's just concealed carry permits. There are probably another 10 million shotguns and rifles here in Michigan alone.
19 posted on 10/15/2012 9:40:23 AM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
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To: ruesrose

Yep


20 posted on 10/15/2012 9:41:15 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (God, family, country, mom, apple pie, the girl next door and a Ford F250 to pull my boat.)
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