How Constitutional Carry Is Reshaping America: What the Data Really Shows About Concealed Carry Permit Holders
For years, concealed carry permit numbers were the clearest, most reliable indicator of how many Americans were taking responsibility for their own safety. But that landscape has changed — dramatically.
A state-by-state look at the percentage of adults who are concealed carry permit holders — a reminder that even as permit totals shift, millions of responsibly armed Americans continue to exercise their rights every single day.
A brand-new analysis from the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) shows that concealed carry permit holders have declined for the third year in a row. And for anyone who doesn’t understand the broader trend, that headline might look like fewer people are choosing to carry firearms.
But that assumption couldn’t be more wrong.
Across the United States, more people are carrying than ever… they’re just no longer required to ask the government for permission first.
Permit Numbers Are Down — But Personal Carry Is Up
According to the CPRC report, the number of concealed carry permit holders dropped from 21.47 million in 2024 to 20.88 million in 2025 — a 2.7% decline. That might sound concerning until you realize why it's happening:
👉 Twenty-nine states now have Constitutional Carry.
That means 46.8% of Americans — 157.6 million people — live in states where no permit is required to carry a firearm.
When you no longer need a permit to carry, fewer people bother to renew or apply — but they’re still carrying.
This is why raw permit numbers no longer reflect the true scale of armed, law-abiding citizens.
In other words:
Permit totals are dropping because freedom is expanding.
But with that said, there are still several compelling reasons why getting a permit might be the smarter move, even when your state doesn’t require one. Read this article from Jacob that details the reasons you should still get a concealed carry license.
Where Concealed Carry Still Thrives
Even with Constitutional Carry growing, millions still choose to maintain their permits for reciprocity, training, or travel. CPRC found:
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7.8% of American adults hold active permits
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In non-restrictive states (not CA or NY), that rises to 9.3%
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Indiana leads the nation with 22.7% of adults permitted
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Florida holds the top spot with 2.38 million active permit holders
Five states now have more than 1 million concealed carry permit holders:
Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Even as permit numbers decline overall, these states demonstrate how strong the concealed carry culture remains — especially in places where the government doesn’t stand in the way.
Women and Minorities Are Driving Explosive Growth
One of the most powerful — and underreported — findings from the CPRC:
🚺 Women are rapidly becoming first-time carriers.
In states that track gender, women now make up 28.5% of all concealed carry permit holders.
Across seven states with long-term data, permit growth for women increased 106.1% faster than men.
🌎 Minority communities are embracing concealed carry even faster.
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In Texas, Black female permit holders grew 8.6× faster than white males.
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Oklahoma saw the rate of Asian permit growth rise 7× faster than whites.
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North Carolina’s Black permit holders grew twice as fast as whites.
From 2015–2024, across states with full demographic data:
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Asian Americans: 277.8% faster growth than whites
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Black Americans: 321% faster growth than whites
These aren’t small shifts — they’re a cultural awakening.
The Most Law-Abiding Segment of the American Public
Another point anti-gun activists never want to discuss:
Concealed carry permit holders are extraordinarily law-abiding.
CPRC reports:
Permit holders in Florida and Texas are convicted of firearms-related violations at 1/12th the rate of police officers.
Let that sink in.
Licensed carriers — the very people anti-gun politicians constantly point to as “dangerous” — are among the most responsible citizens in the entire country.
The Big Picture: Permit Data No Longer Tells the Full Story
As Constitutional Carry spreads, permit statistics simply no longer represent the reality of how many Americans carry daily.
The CPRC study makes that clear:
✔ Millions more Americans are carrying
✔ Permit numbers decline because permits are becoming optional
✔ Demographic shifts are transforming who carries
✔ Law-abiding citizens remain overwhelmingly responsible
This is why concealed carry permit holders are still central to understanding the gun-carrying population — but they’re only part of the story now.
The real story?
America has more armed, responsible citizens than ever before — and the movement is broad, diverse, and growing.
Final Thoughts
As permitless carry expands, it’s easy for the media to misuse permit statistics to suggest Americans are turning away from firearms. The truth is the opposite:
More people are carrying.
More people are training.
More Americans are taking ownership of their personal safety.
Permit data may be changing, but the commitment of responsibly armed citizens is not.
This CPRC study is the strongest confirmation yet.
Great article. Truthful information is needed for anyone to make an educated decision about their own self defense needs.
Thank you!
Still a good idea to get one. Benefits are below; may not apply to all states:
Key Benefits
Legal Carrying in More Locations: While some states allow permitless carry, having a permit often grants access to a wider range of locations, such as certain university campuses, churches, or specific private properties that prohibit unlicensed firearms.
Interstate Reciprocity: Many states have reciprocity agreements, honoring permits issued by other states. This allows you to legally carry a concealed firearm while traveling in participating states, which may otherwise have restrictive laws for non-residents.
Streamlined Firearm Purchases: In many states, presenting a valid concealed carry permit at a gun store can exempt you from the standard federal background check (NICS check), saving time and bypassing potential bureaucratic delays.
Easier Firearm Transportation: A permit can provide more legal options for transporting firearms in a vehicle (e.g., loaded in a center console) versus the strict requirements for non-permit holders (e.g., unloaded, locked in a trunk).
Exemption from the Gun-Free School Zones Act: Federal law generally prohibits carrying a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, but an exception is often granted to individuals with a valid state-issued permit, helping permit holders avoid potential felony charges for inadvertent violations in such areas.
My understanding the Constitutional Carry requires open carry precluding concealed carry.
I’ll have to look through all of the states various language, but I’d be pretty confident in saying that the majority of the 29 states’ Constitutional/Permitless Carry Laws cover concealed carry. I’m 100% certain that South Carolina, where I live, is Constitutional Concealed and Open Carry. I think most of the 29 states are similar in structure.
I’m a Florida resident by way of Maine. I got my c/c permit in Maine 20 years ago and changed over to a Florida permit 14 years ago. I just renewed my permit and it’s good until 2033. I’m 78 and a former combat Marine. I was a small arms specialist from 1967 to muster out in 71. That included the M-60, gas op 45 and the blooper. I believe in c/c permit but not crazy about open carry. There will be to many cowboys and those that think they are now in charge or hero’s. My advice is practice and learn, Learn about ammunition and grain , hollow point and full metal jacket. If you really are responsible and care then get c/c permit if you can.
I have a question about open carry and reciprocity. I live in Minnesota and have a conceal carry permit that is not recognized by the state of Colorado. Colorado has open carry. Can I legally open carry in Colorado?
Monty, for a full overview of Colorado laws click on “laws” in the menu on this website and then click on Colorado. Long story short, Open carry is legal or illegal in Colorado depending on where you are. It is regulated by local municipalities. So my two cents would be that you should either be exhaustive in your research at the city/county level or you should not carry openly in the greater Denver area.
Thanks for getting back to me on this topic. It is more of a curiosity than anything due to the fact that I am not a huge fan of open carry in public. Out in the “woods and wilds” is altogether a different topic.
hi mitch greetings from the upsate(landrum area).merry christmas.
thanks for the time you put into the article. very enlightening .
lived in SC 20 yrs now transplant from las vegas…..retired here had 5 great years shooting IDPA matches…..did ok…i miss it now…
concealed carry has always been a problem because of individual states laws…glad to see there has been movement for the better…..
take care…larry
Merry Christmas to you as well! Thank you for reading!