Chicago: More Guns, Less Crime

It’s no secret that guns in the hands of citizens prevent crime, and in Chicago, that’s becoming increasingly clear.

The Washington Times recently reported the following:

“Since Illinois started granting concealed carry permits this year, the number of robberies that have led to arrests in Chicago has declined 20 percent from last year, according to police department statistics. Reports of burglary and motor vehicle theft are down 20 percent and 26 percent, respectively. In the first quarter, the city’s homicide rate was at a 56-year low.”

Although it held out much longer than other states, Illinois finally instituted a concealed carry license program. According to the Washington Times article, an “individual permit costs about $600,” but it’s actually a license, not a permit–and I’m not sure where that number came from. At the Concealed Carry Licensing page of the Illinois State Police website, application cost for IL citizens is listed at $150. There will be other expenses, including the required 16 hours of training, a recent head and shoulder photo, and fingerprinting, but that shouldn’t add up to $600.

Either way, residents are eager to lawfully carry their guns. At the end of July, 68,549 licenses had been issued and 83,183 applications received. It’s estimated that 100,000 licenses will be issued in the end of 2014

Referring to the dramatic reduction in crime quoted above, the executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association was quoted as saying, “It isn’t any coincidence crime rates started to go down when concealed carry was permitted. Just the idea that the criminals don’t know who’s armed and who isn’t has a deterrence effect. The police department hasn’t changed a single tactic — they haven’t announced a shift in policy or of course — and yet you have these incredible numbers.”

More guns, less crime. Makes sense.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.