Reply #86: I didn't say I could do better

[Euromutt]

I just wanted to caution against taking your estimate as gospel, not least because it comes out remarkably higher than what the VPC has managed to dig up, and given the VPC's stance on private firearms ownership, the comparative lowness of their findings isn't going to be for want of trying.

Since gun advocacy organizations have contrived to keep concealed carry permit records secret, we are unable to produce better estimates.

Nobody's preventing anyone from publishing statistics. Florida does (here: http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/stats/cw_monthly.html) as does Texas (here: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/demographics.htm). Most states simply can't be bothered to go to the trouble and expense.

And please, let's not pretend there's something sinister about keeping CCW permit records inaccessible. Unless, that is, you would have no objection to the DMV giving out your name, height, weight, hair and eye color, date of birth, home address and driver's license number to every Tom, Dick & Harry who strolls in and gives them your license number.