Gun lobbyists have long argued that carrying a gun makes people feel safer. But they’ve known for years that the opposite is true.
Rolling Stone and The Trace recently reported that the gun industry’s own research found that “more Americans feel less safe when it comes to people legally carrying concealed guns in public.” This finding applied to non-gun owners and gun owners alike, across the political spectrum.1
The researchers, who were funded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (the gun industry’s trade group and a major player blocking gun safety laws), also found that advocating for more concealed weapons was extremely profitable. Shocking right? The gun industry knew concealed carry policies make people feel less safe, and yet fought for them because it padded their pockets.
Despite this research, Rep. Frank Burns (D-Cambria) wants to change the state constitution to give people the right to carry guns into businesses, restaurants, parks, and public spaces in Pennsylvania without a permit.
Disagreements over parking spaces and long lines at restaurants should never escalate into gunfights — but they can and do when people are being sold fear and guns. Arizona experienced a 44% increase in aggravated assaults committed with a firearm in the six years after enacting permitless carry in 2010.
This amendment could doom gun safety laws by enshrining a constitutional right to carry a firearm. If you oppose amending the state constitution to give people the right to carry concealed firearms in Pennsylvania without a permit, we want to hear from you. Please take 2 minutes to complete our survey.
