Circling the Welcome Wagons: Area, Income, Race, and Legal Handgun Concealment

Abstract

Using data from Louisiana State Police records on concealed weapon permits, this article analyzes factors related to regional differences in rates of handgun permit holding. Although protection from victimization may be considered a common motive for carrying a concealed weapon, the authors found no relationship between crime rates and rates of handgpn permit holding. Instead, factors such as median household income and race-related factors were found to be more salient predictors of an area's rate of permit holding.