“Conventional wisdom held that the sharp rise in gun sales during Obama’s presidency was driven, at least in part, by the threat of guns control,” the study says. “That’s why every expected gun sales to decline after Trump’s victory.”
The percentage of American adults with concealed carry permits rose to 7.14 percent from about 6 percent, the center reported.
It also found that the number of women and minorities with permits has continued to climb.
“That increase in women and minorities mirrors their changing views on guns,” said Lott, a Fox News columnist. “A poll by (the) Pew (Research Center) helps to explain why there has been such a large increase in concealed handgun permits among blacks and women. The poll shows a 25 percentage point increase in the proportion of blacks with a favorable view of gun ownership. This is the largest increase of any group.”
Lott said the increase among all women was 11 percent, and the increase among men was 8 percent.
The center issued its findings after analyzing concealed carry permit data collected primarily by states and county agencies. In 14 states people don’t need a permit to carry so the overall increase in concealed carry permits is actually higher.
In 15 states, more than 10% of adults have permits—four more than last year.
Alabama has the highest rate of adults with permits—22.1 percent, the study also found.
Indiana is second with 17.9 percent and South Dakota is a close third with 17.2 percent.
Additionally, the study found that concealed handgun permit holders are extremely law-abiding—
in Florida and Texas permit holders are convicted of misdemeanor and felonies at one-sixth the rate at which police officers are convicted.