Commentary: Fighting myths with facts: Why permitless carry is bad news for Tennessee – Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee LookoutMar 17, 2021
The Facts
On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed legislation that eliminates the requirement of a permit to carry a concealed firearm, making Florida the 26th US state to pass a constitutional carry law.
The law, which passed 27-13 in the Senate and 76-32 in the House, allows eligible citizens who are at least 21 years old to carry the weapon without having to obtain a permit or pay a fee.
The Spin
Left narrative
The pro-gun lobby uses several myths to sway the minds of decent pro-gun Americans. Unfortunately, these myths can and have led to tragic increases in gun violence and death. Gun violence is shown to increase after permit-less carry laws go into effect. The dangers of lax gun laws are understood by most Americans, which is why not only civilians are against such measures, but large swaths of law enforcement across the country as well.
Right narrative
While any side of an issue can drum up curated statistics to bolster their political arguments, the truth is that permit-less carry laws don't lead to an increase in violent crime or murder. Beyond the data, common sense dictates that criminals, by definition, don't follow the law. Constitutional carry doesn't necessarily lower crime, but it does allow law-abiding citizens to carry more easily and thus protect themselves from criminals who never cared about the law in the first place.