New groundbreaking study exposes an uncomfortable truth for gun control advocates: armed civilians with concealed carry permits are not only stopping more active shooters than police, but they’re doing it with remarkable precision and fewer casualties.
At a Glance
- Study by Crime Prevention Research Center shows concealed carriers stopped 158 out of 307 active shooter attacks where carrying was allowed
- Armed civilians made only one mistake hitting an innocent bystander compared to police who accidentally shot four people, killing two officers and two civilians
- Police are nearly six times more likely to be killed and 17% more likely to be wounded than armed civilians during interventions
- Between 2014-2023, armed civilians stopped 180 out of 515 active shooter cases overall
Armed Citizens: America’s First Line of Defense
When seconds matter and lives hang in the balance, who’s more likely to stop an active shooter effectively? According to comprehensive new research, it’s not who most Americans might expect. The Crime Prevention Research Center’s groundbreaking study delivers a stark reality check to gun control advocates: law-abiding citizens with concealed carry permits are outperforming trained law enforcement in neutralizing active shooter threats, and they’re doing it with fewer mistakes and casualties. This data directly challenges the prevailing narrative that only police should handle firearms during crisis situations, revealing instead that responsible armed civilians are often our most effective first line of defense.
The study, conducted by CPRC president John Lott Jr., meticulously analyzed active shooter scenarios across a decade span from 2014 to 2023. The findings revealed that in locations where carrying firearms is legally permitted, concealed carriers successfully stopped a remarkable 158 out of 307 attacks. What’s even more telling is the precision demonstrated by these armed citizens – only one instance resulted in an innocent bystander being shot. Compare this to law enforcement, who stopped 156 cases but accidentally shot the wrong person in four separate incidents, resulting in the deaths of two fellow officers and two civilians. The contrast couldn’t be more clear.
Do Armed Civilians Really Stop Mass Shootings? This Study Has the Answer
Recent research from the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) provides compelling evidence that legally armed civilians play a crucial role in stopping active shooter incidents. The study addresses… pic.twitter.com/FHu4eVTb6t
— USA Carry (@USACarry) March 14, 2025
Higher Success Rate, Lower Risk
One of the most compelling aspects of the study is the stark difference in risk outcomes. Police officers face substantially higher dangers when responding to active shooter situations compared to armed civilians. The data shows that officers are nearly six times more likely to be killed and 17% more likely to be wounded during these interventions. This suggests that by the time police arrive on scene, the situation has often escalated to more dangerous levels, while armed civilians already present can intervene at earlier, potentially less volatile stages of an attack. The immediate availability of a concealed carrier often means they can respond in those critical first moments before more casualties occur.
“Civilians stop more active shooters than police and do so with fewer mistakes, the Crime Prevention Research Center found.”
These statistics fly directly in the face of the left’s constant efforts to limit Second Amendment rights. While Democrats continue pushing for more restrictions on law-abiding gun owners, this research provides compelling evidence that concealed carriers aren’t just exercising their constitutional rights – they’re actively making our communities safer. The data demonstrates what conservatives have long argued: the solution to violence isn’t fewer responsibly armed citizens, but more of them. When faced with the horrific reality of an active shooter, having trained, armed civilians present can mean the difference between a tragedy and a thwarted attack.
The Real-World Impact
The study’s comprehensive analysis of 515 active shooting cases between 2014 and 2023 revealed that armed civilians successfully stopped 180 incidents. This is particularly noteworthy because many of these attacks occurred in locations where concealed carry is prohibited, meaning the number of successful civilian interventions could potentially be even higher if more areas allowed legal carrying. This raises serious questions about gun-free zones, which continue to be frequent targets for mass shooters precisely because perpetrators know they’ll face minimal resistance. The research suggests that expanding concealed carry rights could dramatically increase the chances of stopping these attacks before they claim multiple victims.
President Trump has consistently championed the rights of law-abiding gun owners, recognizing their crucial role in maintaining public safety. While the Biden administration and Democrat-controlled states have worked tirelessly to restrict Second Amendment rights, this research vindicated the conservative position that responsible armed citizens enhance public safety rather than diminish it. The study’s findings add to mounting evidence that gun control measures primarily disarm potential heroes while doing little to deter those with criminal intent. For communities seeking effective solutions to the tragedy of mass shootings, expanding training and carry options for law-abiding citizens appears to be a far more effective strategy than restrictive gun control.
