When Concealed Handgun Licensees Break Bad: Criminal Convictions of Concealed Handgun Licensees in Texas, 2001―2009

We explored differences in criminal convictions between holders and nonholders of a concealed handgun license (CHL) in Texas. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides annual data on criminal convictions of holders and nonholders of CHLs. We used 2001 to 2009 DPS data to investigate the d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of public health (1971) 2013, Vol.103 (1), p.86-91
Main Authors: PHILLIPS, Charles D, NWAIWU, Obioma, MCMAUGHAN MOUDOUNI, Darcy K, EDWARDS, Rachel, LIN, Szu-Hsuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Burglary
Convictions
Crime - statistics & numerical data
Criminal records
Criminal statistics
Firearm laws & regulations
Firearms
Firearms - legislation & jurisprudence
General aspects
Homicide - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Legislation
Licenses
Licensure - legislation & jurisprudence
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Population
Public health
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Public Policy
Public safety
Research and Practice
Risk Assessment
Sex crimes
Texas
Threats
Uniform Crime Reports
Violence - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:We explored differences in criminal convictions between holders and nonholders of a concealed handgun license (CHL) in Texas. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides annual data on criminal convictions of holders and nonholders of CHLs. We used 2001 to 2009 DPS data to investigate the differences in the distribution of convictions for these 2 groups across 9 types of criminal offenses. We calculated z scores for the differences in the types of crimes for which CHL holders and nonholders were convicted. CHL holders were much less likely than nonlicensees to be convicted of crimes. Most nonholder convictions involved higher-prevalence crimes (burglary, robbery, or simple assault). CHL holders' convictions were more likely to involve lower-prevalence crimes, such as sexual offenses, gun offenses, or offenses involving a death. Our results imply that expanding the settings in which concealed carry is permitted may increase the risk of specific types of crimes, some quite serious in those settings. These increased risks may be relatively small. Nonetheless, policymakers should consider these risks when contemplating reducing the scope of gun-free zones.
ISSN:0090-0036
1541-0048
DOI:10.2105/AJPH.2012.300807