Research Shows States That Have Repealed Permitting Systems Have Experienced Increases in Gun Violence
The Indiana chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after the Indiana House Public Policy Committee today passed House Bill 1077, harmful legislation to eliminate Indiana’s permit requirement for carrying a handgun in public. The bill, which now goes to the full House, would allow individuals, including those who would not have passed a background check, to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public – a policy shown to increase gun violence in other states.
“Getting rid of Indiana’s permit requirement is dangerous, unnecessary, and will only make our state’s gun violence crisis worse,” said Heather Hilbert, a volunteer with the Indiana chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our permitting system is a simple and effective public safety measure that makes sure that firearms stay out of the wrong hands. Our lawmakers should listen to the people who elected them, and prioritize actions that will end the gun violence crisis, not gut common sense measures that actually protect our communities.”
Repealing permitting requirements has been proven to increase gun violence in other states that have passed similar laws. Research shows that states that have weakened their firearm permitting system have experienced an 11 percent increase in handgun homicide rates and a 13-15 percent increase in violent crime rates. In addition to allowing individuals who should not be allowed to carry firearms in public to do so, permitless carry laws strip away a critical tool that law enforcement uses to differentiate between responsible gun owners and those who are prohibited from carrying a loaded weapon in public.
Polling shows that permitting systems like Indiana’s current system are overwhelmingly popular. 88 percent of Americans think you should get a permit before carrying a concealed gun in public.
More information about permitless carry is available here.