Constitutional Carry Proves America Doesn’t Want Gun Control

There are currently as of this writing a total of 21 constitutional carry states in the Union.

If a majority of Americans want gun control legislation passed, why the uptick in pro-gun bills like constitutional carry at the state level?

If you aren't sure what a constitutional carry state is, it is when a state passes legislation that allows its citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights without having to jump through any unnecessary hoops to get a permit to carry their gun.

This is also sometimes referred to as permit-less carry. It generally applies to all state citizens unless you are somehow prohibited from owning a firearm. It can also, but not always, apply to visitors to that state.

For a Deep Understanding of Constitutional Carry, check out this post.

How would you know if you are prohibited from owning a firearm?

Because a prohibited person, AKA a criminal, won't be able to pass the background check to buy the firearm to begin with.

Not that criminals care how they get their guns, nor are they willing to get a concealed carry permit to follow the law BECAUSE THEY'RE CRIMINALS.

They have no intent to follow the laws on the books, and because they don't, constitutional carry does not protect or necessarily help violent criminals.

It is strictly for law abiding citizens who would have followed the law to begin with.

The anti-gun politicians are therefore losing their minds for no particular reason.

But none of that is the point. The point, instead, is that with 18 different permit-less carry, pro-gun states, one really has to start wondering if gun control should even be on the list of things being tackled by politicians.

Nearly half of the country, as of this writing, have this pro-gun legislation passed. What's more, is that there are still a bunch of states with proposals on the table for constitutional carry. And even if those other states don't pass the laws, they're generally extremely gun friendly states and need to be counted as such.

The anti-gun media and law makers would love to have all of us believe that “a majority of Americans want gun control measures passed.”

I don't see it that way. To me, if there are that many states with already-passed pro-gun legislation and a handful more with it on the table, that says that America doesn't want gun control.

Quite the opposite, actually.

I'm sure there are some folks who do, and I know this because I talk to them from time to time in an attempt to convert them to the light side. But these people are usually mislead on the facts about guns and crime, as well as how best to combat how to fix it.

What's more baffling to me, is that there are currently 18 states with pro-gun constitutional carry laws passed along with some who are actively passing them, and they still want to regulate firearms beyond what is acceptable.

“Shall Not Be Infringed.”

While 18 states with constitutional carry is an impressive number, there are a ton more states without this law passed that are extremely pro gun. Look at that map. Green is permit-less carry, blue is shall issue, and red means good luck.

There are several states on that map that are extremely pro-gun, but are prevented from passing something like permit-less carry for one reason or another, or who currently have it on the table.

Which states? These:

  • Texas
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Alabama
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Indiana
  • Pennsylvania
  • Ohio
  • North Carolina

Some of those states are self-explanatory, others not so much. Pennsylvania for example may come as a surprise to people in Texas, but there were 1.275 million concealed carry permits in 2017 in PA. The same year Texas had 1.20 million concealed carry permit holders.

Pennsy is in a bad spot because three cities run and vote for the rest of the state. The only state with more concealed carry permits on record was Florida with 1.784 million.

It's hard for me to make any solid conclusions based on these numbers because population density and voting patterns are not being taken into consideration here, but those states certainly add to our cause and help us take the majority, at least in terms of pro-gun states that are either shall issue or permit-less carry and not wanting anti-gun legislation passed.

Or course, also not taken into consideration are the number of pro-gun people who don't have a concealed carry permit. There are a lot of those people, too.

Then again, I could be way off base here. It happens. Let me know if I am wrong in the comments below. I can handle it, I promise.

Next, read: The difference between shall issue, may issue, and constitutional carry.

Source

About Joshua Gillem

Josh is a lifelong practitioner and student of the gun. He grew up shooting/hunting with his dad, and was given his first gun, a 12 gauge shotgun, when just a small boy. After high school, he joined the Marines where his love for firearms blossomed as he qualified with an M16A2, an M9, and a 240G. Josh has been writing about firearms and tactics for several years, owns the blog Gunners Den, is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, and believes that each individual person has the right to self-defense by any means necessary. Currently residing in gun-friendly NC, he carries a concealed gun on a daily basis, even in his own house.

21 Comments

  1. Gary on February 22, 2021 at 1:05 pm

    A good number of people don’t have the good sense to vote for their own best self interest. They don’t connect the dots.

    • Joshua Morse on February 24, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      I agree, most are sheeple.

  2. William T Hull on February 22, 2021 at 3:04 pm

    I am a gun owner with a carry permit. I support the 2nd Amendment. At the same time I support comprehensive gun control. Guns are not the problem. It is people with guns that creates problems. Recently a firearm owner wit a history of anger management issues and having verbalized threats of violence shot 5 nurse at a local clinic, killing one.
    My point is simple not everyone is mentally and emotionally stable. There should be some course of action to keep guns out of their hands.

    I also would like to see national universal background checks with minimum federal requirements making it possible for country wide reincorporation between all states.

    • No One Important on February 23, 2021 at 11:52 am

      You want comprehensive gun control, take about a single incident of someone with anger issues, and then say there should be “some course of action to keep guns out of their hands.”

      Well, what is it? What course of action do you think should be taken? Because, as it was well explained in the article above, criminals do not follow the law, so requiring permits for gun ownership is pointless. In your example, the person with anger issues passed a background check, presumably, so that didn’t stop him, neither did laws against murder.

      So why don’t you verbalize how you think gun violence can be stopped using gun control, rather than pass it off to politicians to decide who know nothing about what they are doing?

    • J GIbbons on February 24, 2021 at 10:05 am

      There are people who shouldn’t own firearms. But, then, they should also be restricted from owning other deadly weapons (car, knife, baseball bat, etc.).

      “Universal background checks” already exist. Sales from dealers always require a background check. We can argue about private transfers, but they are the very small majority of gun sales. Neither of which covers straw purchasing. The background check across the country is a federal one. It’s the same system for every background check for every gun purchase at every gun store across the entire nation.

      By supporting the Democrat’s idea of so-called “common sense” gun control using arguments for things that either already exist or would not impact criminal violence, the end result is a logically failed argument for civilian disarmament and dismantling of the 2nd Amendment.

    • Will on February 24, 2021 at 10:17 am

      I live in MA and am lucky to live in a gun friendly town where I had no issue getting my LTC. I know many folks who would like to get their LTC but since they live in ‘anti gun’ cities or towns they are stuck. Not sure how other states work but in MA, your LTC is issued by you local PD. It’s really a backwards method IMO.

      • Joshua Gillem on February 24, 2021 at 1:27 pm

        Hey Will, the states I’ve gotten my permit/license in, both PA and NC, it’s handled by the County Sheriff. To my knowledge most other states are like that.

        Josh

        • ScottyTheMenace on March 14, 2021 at 9:06 pm

          In shall-issue Texas it’s not local, it’s the state DPS (Dep’t of Public Safety) which also handles driver licensing, statewide law enforcement (state police, Texas Rangers), and other security-related missions like cybersecurity.

    • Chris Vescio on April 13, 2021 at 4:33 pm

      Jim Jones killed 919 people with kool-aid.

      The point is, if someone wants to kill they will find any means necessary.

  3. Joel Gibbons on February 24, 2021 at 10:06 am

    William,

    There are people who shouldn’t own firearms. But, then, they should also be restricted from owning other deadly weapons (car, knife, baseball bat, etc.). How does gun control stop violence with weapons that are used far more often than any type of firearm?

    “Universal background checks” already exist. Sales from dealers always require a background check. We can argue about private transfers, but they are the very small majority of gun sales. Neither of which covers straw purchasing. The background check across the country is a federal one. It’s the same system for every background check for every gun purchase at every gun store across the entire nation.

    By supporting the Democrat’s idea of so-called “common sense” gun control using arguments for things that either already exist or would not impact criminal violence, the end result is a logically failed argument for civilian disarmament and dismantling of the 2nd Amendment.

  4. WinstonRomeo on February 24, 2021 at 10:16 am

    The background checks system we have now would work much better if LE agencies communicated better between themselves. We’ve had a shooting in which the shooter would have been denied the purchase of a firearm had his record of violence been communicated beyond the local agency.
    We also have to be willing to accept the few bad actors slipping through so the rights of every individual are honored. Stopping the bad actors ought not affect everyone’s rights. The bad actors tend to be better behaved when they know they are out gunned in every situation. It’s when they know no one else is armed that they are bold. Cases in point: NY City & Chicago both have Draconian anti gun laws and both are experiencing record levels of firearms related shootings by people who are armed illegally.
    Over 20K gun laws and more will work to stop criminals?

  5. Robin on February 24, 2021 at 10:22 am

    I would like to see Nationwide carry, whether it be with a permit or without, is fine with me

  6. Joel Gibbons on February 24, 2021 at 10:29 am

    The Indiana House recently passed constitutional carry. The Senate prospects look good so far. Hopefully, by this summer, there will be a 19th state on the list.

    • Joshua Gillem on February 24, 2021 at 1:24 pm

      Yes we are following closely.

      Josh

  7. Kris Mayfield on February 24, 2021 at 10:47 am

    Although I support the idea of constitutional carry it has some major drawbacks to me.
    I am retired LE and a current LTC instructor in TX.. I see firsthand how many average citizens cannot shoot to save their lives.
    Requiring citizens to demonstrate a modest level of firearm and shooting proficiency is an absolute must.
    CC allows any person not prohibited by law, to start carrying without training. Many of those persons are a danger to themselves and the other innocent citizens around them. You are responsible for every round you fire. Know how and when to use your firearm.

  8. Bob Fately on February 24, 2021 at 10:52 am

    Well the real issue is not whether Americans want gun control (because obviously most do not), the issue is that the leftist politicians want to follow the footsteps of other authoritarian regimes over history and disarm the population as they create more “rules”. These are the elites who say “socialism can work” and the useful idiots to whom they pander. With the media’s assistance (since the media is a co-conspirator in all this) the never-ending histrionics about “guns are evil and scary!!” is second only to that about Covid – and the only intent is to keep those useful idiots in a state of fear so they eventually agree guns must be removed from the populace (except of course from the hands of the thugs who will enforce the rules of the leadership).

  9. Robert Taylor on February 25, 2021 at 8:04 am

    I think that the Consititional carry would have some draw back to it. To me that means that as long as you have the gun that you don’t need any farther training. At least with CCDW you MUST have some training and Legal guidance to qualify. Even most states require hunters to take a safety class before getting license. I don’t like the blanket effects of gun laws either but I also believe that criminals are NOT born but are MADE from once good American citizens. So let’s train more good American citizens to protect themselves and family though TRAINING, Responsibility and practice. Not just letting ANYONE who has a gun ( legal or Not) just carry it.

  10. Rick Zazz on February 26, 2021 at 12:25 pm

    I live in NJ, and I realize that it is listed as a “good luck” state. I recently purchased a hand gun legally and the process went smoothly and without issue. Carry and concealed carry is a different issue.

  11. Katie Howard on February 27, 2021 at 5:23 pm

    On Thursday here in Iowa, at the 2A Lobby Day, HSB254 was announced (filed that day). It has many gun owner protections/provisions, including a constitutional carry provision. We’ll see where it goes but I am hopeful! We need strong state protections in light of the federal onslaught.

  12. Margaret on May 28, 2021 at 2:14 pm

    I do not own a gun and am not trained to use one, but I am 74 and have always had terrible eyesight. But I am pro Second Amendment. I believe in the right to self defense. I think it is imperative that we keep the right to own and carry guns because we don’t know that the government will always be reasonable and law abiding. We have seen what happens when an election is stolen and the government suddenly starts doing crazy things that are not in our best interest. It is possible that they will skewer gun ownership regulations so that their opposition is not allowed to own guns. We settle our political differences over the direction the country will take with elections. But if the elections can be rigged, then our enemies can manipulate our government to destroy our country and us. We need the right of self defense. When they try to take the guns it is a red flag that we need to get involved and defend our rights.

  13. Alvin K Gallegos on December 5, 2022 at 1:11 am

    California will issue as per Federal Court.

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