What Are Concealed Carry Laws?

Statistical Impacts on Gun Violence and Crime

Key Points and Context

Summary Table: Concealed Carry Law Impact

Study/Source General Finding Detail/Scope
2023 County-Level Panel [4] ↑ Gun homicide with increased permits 11 states, 2010–2019
2023 Meta-Analysis [5] ↑ Firearm assault (+9.5%) & other homicide (+8.8%) “Shall-issue” states, 1980–2019
Pre-2023 State Data [6] ↓ Violent crime (by 2.88/100k avg.), in some states 20 permitless carry states
Older National Data [7] ↓ Violent crime, possible shift to property crimes U.S. counties, 1977–1992

Bottom Line

Most rigorous recent evidence shows that relaxing concealed carry requirements—especially with few restrictions—tends to increase gun assault and homicide rates. The effects vary by state and law specifics, with possible small deterrent effects or crime substitution in some contexts, but the average national effect of easier concealed carry is to make gun violence and gun assaults more common[4][5][6][7].