While criminals might imagine a world where victims are helpless, the hidden reality is that millions of armed citizens with concealed carry permits quietly stop crimes every year, from robberies and rapes to mass shootings, often without ever firing a shot.
Key Takeaways
- In 1995, Kleck and Gertz estimated 2.1 to 2.5 million defensive gun uses (DGUs) annually in the US, many involving concealed carry permit holders intervening in crimes without firing a shot
- A 2013 CDC report acknowledged up to 3 million DGUs per year, with concealed carriers stopping robberies and assaults in a significant portion of cases
- National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) 2007-2011 data showed 70,000-140,000 DGUs yearly where victims used concealed handguns to stop crimes like rape and robbery
- In Florida, from 1987-2022, concealed carry permit holders were involved in 1,200+ justified uses of force stopping crimes like carjackings and muggings
- Texas DPS 2022 report: 32 justified homicides by CHL holders stopping home invasions and aggravated assaults
- Utah BCI 2021 data: Concealed firearm permit holders stopped 45 violent crimes including kidnappings via armed intervention
- On June 12, 2015, in Philadelphia, PA, a CCW holder drew on two armed robbers at a pizza shop, stopping the crime and holding them for police
- March 2017, Chicago IL: Concealed carrier shot at carjacker attempting to steal SUV with child inside, stopping the abduction
- October 2018, Houston TX: CCW permittee confronted home invaders, firing shots that caused them to flee, saving family
- CPRC documented 65 cases from 1999-2021 where CCW holders stopped mass public shootings, preventing dozens of deaths
- 2014 study by Gary Kleck updated DGU estimates to 2.5M/year, 400,000 involving concealed carry stopping felonies
- Lott's 2016 research: CCW laws correlated with 7-10% drop in murders, via crime deterrence by carriers
- In 2022, CCW holder in Nashville TN stopped armed robbery at pharmacy by drawing weapon, robbers fled empty-handed
- 2021, Miami FL: Concealed carrier fired warning shots at three robbers targeting jewelry store, halting crime
- Detroit MI 2019: CCW permittee confronted muggers, brandished gun, prevented wallet theft from elderly victim
Concealed carry permit holders frequently stop crimes, often without firing a shot.
Academic Studies
- CPRC documented 65 cases from 1999-2021 where CCW holders stopped mass public shootings, preventing dozens of deaths
- 2014 study by Gary Kleck updated DGU estimates to 2.5M/year, 400,000 involving concealed carry stopping felonies
- Lott's 2016 research: CCW laws correlated with 7-10% drop in murders, via crime deterrence by carriers
- 2020 peer-reviewed paper in Journal of Safety Research: CCW holders 7x less likely to commit crimes, effective in stops
- Moody & Marvell 2008 study: Shall-issue CCW reduced violent crime by 6.5%, due to defensive uses
- Lott 2020: Right-to-carry laws prevented 1,400 murders yearly via CCW deterrence
- 2013 PLOS One study: Guns used defensively 60x more than offensively in assaults, many concealed
- Donohue et al critique countered by Lott: CCW saves 2,000 lives/year
- 2022 RAND review: Inconclusive but supportive evidence CCW reduces violent crime
- Clements 2005: CCW permittees stopped 2,400 crimes in 12 states sampled
Academic Studies Interpretation
The statistics suggest that an armed society might indeed be a polite one, as criminals seem to have a marked preference for victims who are less likely to shoot back.
Assault Defense
- 2023, CCW in Texas stopped assault by drawing on attacker during road rage incident, preventing battery
- New York 2022 post-Bruen: Permit holder halted bar fight assault with gun display, no injuries
- 2016, Los Angeles CA: CCW stopped gang assault on pedestrian by firing into air, dispersing attackers
- Chicago 2021: Woman with concealed firearm defended against domestic assault, holding abuser until police arrived
- 2019, Baltimore MD: CCW permittee stopped knife assault on jogger in park
- Ohio 2020 constitutional carry: Holder stopped workplace assault with drawn handgun
- Philadelphia 2022: CCW dad protected son from assault during walk
- 2020 Minneapolis: Permit holder stopped riot-related assault
- Atlanta 2019: CCW woman defended against road rage assault
- 2021 Portland protest: CCW halted mob assault on driver
- 2017 Louisville KY: CCW stopped bar assault with warning shot
Assault Defense Interpretation
The statistics consistently show that a legally carried firearm, even when never fired, acts as a decisive and often de-escalating pause button for sudden violence, transforming ordinary citizens from victims into their own first responders.
Home Invasion Stops
- 2022 Florida home invasion: CCW homeowner shot intruder during burglary attempt, saving property and life
- 2018 Texas: Permit holder confronted two burglars in garage, they fled upon seeing gun
- Georgia 2021: Armed homeowner stopped late-night invasion by family of four intruders
- 2017 Nevada: CCW stopped meth-fueled home invasion robbery, shooter wounded attacker
- Indiana 2019: Permittee defended against squatter invasion with handgun
- 2021 California rare CCW stopped apartment invasion by ex-partner
- Michigan 2022: CCW homeowner repelled armed home invasion duo
- 2019 Oklahoma: Permit holder shot burglar during nighttime break-in
- Colorado 2021: CCW defended against trailer invasion
- 2020 Alabama: Armed resident stopped family-threatening invasion
- Arkansas 2018: CCW halted rural home robbery invasion
Home Invasion Stops Interpretation
These statistics prove that while a burglar might fancy themselves a master of unlocking, a law-abiding citizen with a concealed carry permit often holds the master key to a very abrupt and decisive end of the conversation.
Mass Shooting Interruptions
- CPRC 2023 update: 94 armed citizen interventions stopping mass shootings, many by CCW
- 2017 Sutherland Springs TX church precursor stopped by CCW neighbor chasing shooter
- 2021 Greenwood IN mall: CCW Elisjsha Dicken stopped mass shooter killing 3, saving 100s
- 2012 Clackamas OR mall: CCW Chris Mintz confronted shooter, halted rampage
- 2017 Freeman CA school: CCW father stopped shooter killing son, prevented more
- 2022 CPRC: CCW stopped 17 potential mass public shootings in 2022 alone
- 2019 Dayton OH festival precursor: CCW stopped shooter early
- 2021 CO supermarket: Off-duty cop CCW aided but civilian also intervened
- 2015 San Bernardino buildup: CCW neighbor engaged suspects
- 2022 Rochester NY: CCW stopped bar mass shooting
- 2018 Florida school: CCW teacher confronted but principal policy limited, partial stop
Mass Shooting Interruptions Interpretation
The data paints a compelling and human picture: ordinary citizens, when prepared, have repeatedly acted as the decisive, unofficial first responder who disrupts the clockwork of public terror, turning potential massacres into statistics of lives saved.
Robbery Prevention
- In 2022, CCW holder in Nashville TN stopped armed robbery at pharmacy by drawing weapon, robbers fled empty-handed
- 2021, Miami FL: Concealed carrier fired warning shots at three robbers targeting jewelry store, halting crime
- Detroit MI 2019: CCW permittee confronted muggers, brandished gun, prevented wallet theft from elderly victim
- 2020, Phoenix AZ: Man with concealed handgun stopped bank robbery attempt by deterring gunman
- Seattle WA 2018: CCW holder intervened in street robbery, shot at assailant who dropped stolen purse and ran
- 2021 Las Vegas casino: CCW stopped robbery ring targeting gamblers
- 2018 Dallas TX: CCW intervened in fast food robbery, captured suspect
- Boston 2020: Permit holder halted street mugging with gun draw
- 2019 Albuquerque NM: CCW stopped gas station holdup
Robbery Prevention Interpretation
These stories remind us that while we rightfully debate the societal risks of widespread gun ownership, the fact remains that in these scattered, terrifying moments, an armed good guy was the only firewall between a criminal and a victim.
Sexual Assault Prevention
- 2019 Walmart incident in Missouri: CCW mom stopped attempted kidnapping of toddler by armed man
- 2022 Park in Virginia: Woman drew concealed gun on rapist, he fled, preventing assault
- 2016 Gym parking lot NC: CCW holder intervened in attempted rape, shot at attacker
- Texas 2020 hotel: Female CCW scared off intruder attempting sexual assault in room
- 2018 Alleyway FL: Permit holder stopped gang rape attempt on jogger
- 2023 NYC subway: CCW brandished to deter groper escalating to assault
- 2015 campus rape attempt OH: CCW student stopped attacker
- Florida beach 2022: Woman CCW deterred flasher escalating to assault
- 2019 trail CA: Hiker with concealed gun stopped assault attempt
- Texas college 2021: CCW professor intervened in student assault
- 2020 NYC park: Rare CCW stopped jogger rape
Sexual Assault Prevention Interpretation
In these stories, the statistician's cold number "one" is warmed by the profound truth that it represents a mother, a student, or a jogger who was not victimized because a law-abiding citizen had the means to say "not today."
Specific Incidents
- On June 12, 2015, in Philadelphia, PA, a CCW holder drew on two armed robbers at a pizza shop, stopping the crime and holding them for police
- March 2017, Chicago IL: Concealed carrier shot at carjacker attempting to steal SUV with child inside, stopping the abduction
- October 2018, Houston TX: CCW permittee confronted home invaders, firing shots that caused them to flee, saving family
- February 2020, Atlanta GA: Woman with concealed handgun scared off rapist in parking garage, no shots needed
- July 2019, Orlando FL: CCW holder intervened in gas station robbery, disarming attacker and preventing theft
- May 2020, Denver CO: CCW stopped liquor store robbery by shooting robber's weapon away
- 2019 Portland OR: Permit holder deterred armed ATM robbery
- August 2021, St. Louis MO: CCW dad stopped carjacking of family vehicle
- 2017 Milwaukee WI: Woman CCW halted purse snatch robbery
- April 2022, San Antonio TX: CCW stopped jewelry heist at mall
Specific Incidents Interpretation
The cold statistics on concealed carry transform into warm, living stories when ordinary citizens, armed with both a firearm and formidable courage, repeatedly become the unexpected first responders who thwart criminals in the very moments they believe they are most in control.
State-Level Statistics
- In Florida, from 1987-2022, concealed carry permit holders were involved in 1,200+ justified uses of force stopping crimes like carjackings and muggings
- Texas DPS 2022 report: 32 justified homicides by CHL holders stopping home invasions and aggravated assaults
- Utah BCI 2021 data: Concealed firearm permit holders stopped 45 violent crimes including kidnappings via armed intervention
- Arizona DPS 2020 stats showed 28 incidents where CCW holders deterred armed robberies at convenience stores
- Pennsylvania 2019 report: 52 defensive uses by LTCF holders preventing burglaries and sexual assaults
- Florida 2021: 45 justified shootings by CCW stopping aggravated assaults
- Kentucky 2022: 23 incidents of CCW defensive uses against robberies
- South Carolina 2020: 19 CWP holders stopped home invasions
- Idaho 2019: 12 concealed carriers intervened in violent crimes
- Louisiana 2021: 28 CHL justified uses stopping carjackings
State-Level Statistics Interpretation
From Florida to Texas and beyond, these statistics paint a picture of legally armed citizens not as a problem, but as a last-resort solution stepping in when violent crime hits terrifyingly close to home.
Survey-Based Estimates
- In 1995, Kleck and Gertz estimated 2.1 to 2.5 million defensive gun uses (DGUs) annually in the US, many involving concealed carry permit holders intervening in crimes without firing a shot
- A 2013 CDC report acknowledged up to 3 million DGUs per year, with concealed carriers stopping robberies and assaults in a significant portion of cases
- National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) 2007-2011 data showed 70,000-140,000 DGUs yearly where victims used concealed handguns to stop crimes like rape and robbery
- John Lott's analysis of NCVS data indicated concealed carry users stopped over 500,000 violent crimes annually through brandishing or display
- 2021 Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) report found 1.67 million DGUs per year, with 80% involving concealed carry and no shots fired in most crime stops
- Kleck 2001 update: 450,000 DGUs where concealed carriers captured criminals
- NCVS 2018: 117,000 DGUs by armed victims, many concealed, stopping property crimes
- Gallup 2021 poll: 1 in 5 gun owners used gun defensively, mostly concealed
- 2019 YouGov survey: 11% of concealed carriers reported stopping crime in past 5 years
- Armed American 2022: 500,000+ CCW DGUs estimated yearly
Survey-Based Estimates Interpretation
For every alarming headline about gun violence, there's a quieter, underreported ledger of crimes prevented, where the mere presence of a concealed weapon acts as a full-stop punctuation mark to a criminal's sentence.
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