Previous studies of the impact of loosening criteria for permits to carry concealed firearms (CCW permits) have focused on overall crime rates and have yielded conflicting results. We report a controlled cohort study of individual crime rates among CCW permit holders whose permits were issued under either "may issue" or "shall issue" criteria in the same state and at the same time. One cohort consists of a random sample of permittees from California in 1993-1994 whose permits were issued under "may issue" criteria. The second consists of 714 persons issued permits in Sacramento County, California under "shall issue" criteria in 1995. Both cohorts were followed for 3 years. Among 917 persons in the "may issue" cohort, 51 (5.6%) had a prior criminal history; only 5 (0.5%) were charged with any new crime during follow-up. In comparison to this group, "shall issue" permittees were substantially more likely to have a prior criminal record and, regardless of prior criminal history status, were substantially more likely to be charged with a new crime.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will: know the frequency of new criminal activity among CCW permittees when permits are issued under "may issue" or "shall issue" criteria; know the major implications of these findings for public policy
Keywords: Firearms, Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.