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GAO: America has 118 million pistols, 8 million conceal-carry permits
washingtonexaminer.com ^ | 26 July, 2012 | Paul Bedard

Posted on 10/15/2012 9:25:02 AM PDT by marktwain

In a new report heralded by the NRA, the General Accountability Office finds that the numbers of Americans with permits to carry a concealed weapon has surged and virtually every state now allows pistols to be carried under garments or even in a car glove box.

"The number of states allowing concealed carry permits is increasing," said the GAO.

The report included two shocking numbers:

-- There are currently 118 million handguns in America, either owned or for sale.

-- Some 8 million Americans already have a concealed carry permit, about 1 million more than previously thought.

The report found that permits are not available only in Washington, D.C. and Illinois and that some states have huge populations of conceal carry permit holders. For example, in South Dakota and Georgia, about 10 percent of the population has a permit. In Virginia, 279,000 have them but in Maryland only 12,000 can legally carry a concealed weapon.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2012; 2012issues; banglist; ccw; donttreadonme; freedom; liberty; permits; pistols; youwillnotdisarmus
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To: marktwain

We need more. A lot more.


21 posted on 10/15/2012 9:45:49 AM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s....you weren't really there)
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To: rsobin

I wonder how many of those 100 million pistols without carry permits are carried in the ghettos, anyway.


22 posted on 10/15/2012 9:46:51 AM PDT by expat2
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To: andy58-in-nh

Yeah, nothing shocking about this, what’s the problem.

I’ve been carrying a loaded pistol in my driver’s side door pocket for years. Now I have a concealed carry permit to go with it.

I’m thinking ankle holster due to the usual situation in which I would pack. Too many groupies like to get their hugs at the clubs where my band plays. They are likely to discover a gun worn near the belt or even under the arm. When I’m in a parking lot at 2:00 AM with cash in my pocket and loading expensive equipment, I need some “coverage”.


23 posted on 10/15/2012 9:48:48 AM PDT by SaxxonWoods (....The days are long, but the years are short.....)
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To: ChildOfThe60s

“We need more. A lot more.”

Yeh, tell me about it. Especially after we heard a low flying Huey come over our neighborhood yesterday afternoon. The fiancee’ went out to take a look and it was painted blue and white (DHS) and had both doors open and armed gunners sitting on each door ready for action. Welcome to the USSA.


24 posted on 10/15/2012 9:50:49 AM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
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To: marktwain

There are some states where permits are technically available under the law but, in truth, are not issued as a matter of policy.


25 posted on 10/15/2012 9:51:31 AM PDT by Chuckster (The longer I live the less I care about what you think.)
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To: marktwain

I have several handguns. I have a licence to carry, but not a concealed carry. Go figure...stupid MA laws.

Its not really a secret...I guess its public record. Who cares?


26 posted on 10/15/2012 9:57:23 AM PDT by Vermont Lt (MIf you are a white conservative, you MUST be a racist. ;-))
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To: Truth29

It never ceases to amaze me how many of us FReepers have recently suffered “severe boating accidents.”


27 posted on 10/15/2012 9:59:15 AM PDT by libstripper
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To: marktwain

It’s a good start, but I hope we can increase that number.


28 posted on 10/15/2012 10:02:31 AM PDT by History Repeats (sic transit gloria mundi)
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To: andy58-in-nh

What Good Can a Handgun Do Against An Army?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/2312894/posts


29 posted on 10/15/2012 10:04:30 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass.)
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To: marktwain

That’s just the ones they know about, through registration and carry permits. It pays to keep them guessing at the real number.


30 posted on 10/15/2012 10:04:48 AM PDT by factoryrat (We are the producers, the creators. Grow it, mine it, build it.)
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To: SaxxonWoods
I've had a carry permit for many years and I enjoy the fact that so many people are now helping to extend the coverage area of American Victim-Free Zones.

Some advice if you're considering an ankle holster: get one that's reliable, well-made (not cheap) and secure. I'd offer the same advice for any holster, basically. And plan to carry small and light in that location (e.g. - S&W 442 .38+P Airweight).

Otherwise, always think defensively when you're in the open and alone. Be aware of your surroundings and plan your actions so that threat conditions do not sneak up on you, especially at 2am, when nothing good ever seems to happen (except in a waterbed, perhaps).

31 posted on 10/15/2012 10:06:36 AM PDT by andy58-in-nh (Cogito, ergo armatum sum.)
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To: marktwain

So

118 million guns, minus 25% for those that are for sale somewhere or in a state that does not require permits.

88.5 million divided by 8 million permit holders = 11 guns per permit.

I need to get busy, I’m down a couple.


32 posted on 10/15/2012 10:07:29 AM PDT by NY.SS-Bar9 (Mitt has dogs for pets - Obama had them for lunch)
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To: History Repeats; All
The significance of these numbers is that these are actively involved people who vote at near 100% levels. The politicians have a hard time ignoring numbers that are twice the level of the NRA membership and who have shown a dedication far beyond having grandpa's shotgun in the closet.

The 2.5% figure is approaching the 3% figure of Americans who were actively involved in fighting the British Crown during the revolution. I believe that GAO got the numbers by asking the states for them.

33 posted on 10/15/2012 10:09:48 AM PDT by marktwain
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To: marktwain

We need more concealed carry permits holders...


34 posted on 10/15/2012 10:15:18 AM PDT by Little Ray (AGAINST Obama in the General.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

That’s an oldie but good. Classic post.


35 posted on 10/15/2012 10:16:17 AM PDT by andy58-in-nh (Cogito, ergo armatum sum.)
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To: marktwain
The report found that permits are not available only in Washington, D.C. and Illinois...

Misleading statement. In New Jersey a law-abiding citizen who is not in law enforcement or politically connected has as little chance of obtaining a handgun permit as a convicted felon. You have to "prove the need", and the proof is never enough.

36 posted on 10/15/2012 10:17:00 AM PDT by JimRed (Excise the cancer before it kills us; feed &water the Tree of Liberty! TERM LIMITS, NOW & FOREVER!)
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To: Georgia Girl 2
Especially after we heard a low flying Huey come over our neighborhood yesterday afternoon. The fiancee’ went out to take a look and it was painted blue and white (DHS) and had both doors open and armed gunners sitting on each door ready for action. Welcome to the USSA.

Yeah, but don't worry. A lot of people here seem to think those gunners would never fire on their fellow citizens.

There are psychological studies up the whazoo that clearly show you can get people to do pretty much anything to their fellow man simply by putting a little distance between them and the victim. That's one of the reasons the feds are so excited about drones. They will have no trouble getting people to shoot down civilians using drones. It's just not real. As contrasted with putting a gun in someone's hand and telling them to put the barrel up to someone's head and blow their brains all over the street. You'd get *some* resistance to that. Although less than most would imagine, given the proper coercion is used.

37 posted on 10/15/2012 10:21:21 AM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s....you weren't really there)
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To: marktwain

We bought SWHC years ago, just because my husband said some day it will do well (and it was really cheap)...it was pretty flat for a long time, but not lately!


38 posted on 10/15/2012 10:21:39 AM PDT by memyselfandi59
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To: Chuckster
There are some states where permits are technically available under the law but, in truth, are not issued as a matter of policy.

Example is my #36.

39 posted on 10/15/2012 10:22:05 AM PDT by JimRed (Excise the cancer before it kills us; feed &water the Tree of Liberty! TERM LIMITS, NOW & FOREVER!)
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Comment #40 Removed by Moderator


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