In 2022, Michigan's responsible gun owners have an opportunity to elect a House, Senate, and Governor who all support adding Michigan to the growing list of constitutional carry states. The term "constitutional carry" popularly means the ability to carry concealed outside the home without a license. Permitless concealed carry is a more accurate description as no license is needed to open carry in Michigan (with restrictions). At this point in time, 21 states have some form of constitutional concealed carry.
A common objection by opponents during state debates about constitutional carry is that it will lead to an increase in violent crime. Some anti-gun law enforcement organizations have also claimed it will increase killings of police. Lawmakers have good reason to be skeptical of these arguments. Similar claims were also made back when shall-issue concealed carry was adopted. Opponents warned of "blood in the streets." Instead, crime rates fell.
So with 21 states already having adopted a form of constitutional carry, what have the numbers shown? The answer is that murder rates have dropped in a statistically significant way. Overall rates of violent crime have dropped but not considerably. Killings of police have also dropped slightly as have firearms specific homicides.
Thank you to the Crime Prevention Research Center for its original research on this issue. The CPRC study released two weeks ago on this topic can be found HERE. MCRGO encourages donations to CPRC's academic work in support of legal gun ownership through their site HERE.
