Recent FBI crime statistics reveal a promising trend: crime is falling across the country, with larger decreases in violent crime observed in states that have recently enacted constitutional carry laws, such as Texas and Florida.
This decline comes after a troubling spike in crime during 2020 and 2021, driven by failed policies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread rioting, and efforts to defund the police. As more Americans embrace their Second Amendment rights, it becomes increasingly evident that an armed society is indeed a polite society.
The nationwide increase in crime during 2020 and 2021 can be traced back to a series of detrimental policies implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Draconian lockdown measures, especially in Democrat-run cities, took an unmeasured toll on mental health, exacerbating inflation and causing desperation in inner cities.
These factors, coupled with the push to defund the police in cities like Austin and many other major U.S. cities, created a perfect storm for crime to surge across the country.
The Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) reported a significant rise in violent crimes during this period, with cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago witnessing alarming increases in homicides, robberies, and aggravated assaults.
However, as the pandemic’s grip on the nation began to loosen and states started to reopen, a new trend emerged: Americans began to take their personal safety into their own hands by arming themselves.
In 2021, Texas became the 21st state to enact constitutional carry, allowing law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
Texas Gun Rights led the fight to make Texas a constitutional carry state, ensuring the right of Texans to protect themselves without unnecessary government interference.
This move was followed by Florida in 2023, which joined the ranks as the 26th state to pass similar legislation. The results have been striking.
Houston, Texas, for example, saw a nearly 10 percent decrease in murders and other violent crimes from 2021 to 2022.
According to the MCCA, the Houston Police Department (HPD) was one of seven U.S. agencies to report decreases in all four types of violent crime included in their survey—homicides, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults.
In total, 26,223 violent crimes were reported to HPD in 2022, representing a 9.9 percent decrease from the previous year.
Florida, too, witnessed a decline in violent crime following the enactment of constitutional carry.
Jacksonville, the largest city in Florida, saw a 6 percent reduction in homicides in 2023, while Miami reported a significant decrease in homicides, non-fatal shootings, and non-contact shootings. These declines are particularly noteworthy given the broader context of rising crime in many parts of the country.
The surge in gun purchases during the pandemic era underscores a fundamental truth: more people are finding it in their best interest to take personal safety into their own hands. National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) checks for gun purchases have exceeded one million per month for 55 consecutive months, a clear indication of Americans’ growing desire to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
Mark Oliva of the National Shooting Sports Foundation highlighted this trend in a recent interview with Breitbart News, noting that the consistent high volume of NICS checks reflects Americans’ commitment to protecting themselves and their loved ones.
This surge in gun ownership aligns with the broader decline in crime rates, suggesting a strong correlation between an armed populace and reduced crime.
Former CIA analyst Jeff Asher commented on the lower crime figures, stating, “It suggests that when we get the final data in October, we will have seen likely the largest one-year decline in murder that has ever been recorded.”
This observation is particularly compelling given the backdrop of increased gun ownership and the enactment of constitutional carry laws.
The adage “an armed society is a polite society” holds true as Americans increasingly arm themselves in response to rising crime rates. The presence of armed, law-abiding citizens acts as a powerful deterrent to would-be criminals, fostering a sense of accountability and caution.
States that have embraced constitutional carry laws have empowered their citizens to take personal safety seriously. By removing barriers to concealed carry, these states have sent a clear message: responsible gun ownership is a fundamental right and an effective means of reducing crime.
As a result, more Americans are taking proactive steps to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.
As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting crime surge, the importance of personal responsibility and self-defense cannot be overstated.
The evidence is clear: states that have enacted constitutional carry laws are experiencing notable decreases in violent crime, a testament to the power of an armed populace.
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