Study shows gun permits soared during coronavirus pandemic, hit record high year-over-year increase

A new study shows that the number of concealed handgun permits soared in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic and increased over 10% from the previous year.

The number of permit holders grew by a record 2 million last year which is 200,000 more than the previous record set in 2017, the study says, and adds that 8.3% of American adults have permits. In 15 states, more than 10% of adults have permits. The highest concealed carry rate is in Alabama where 32.1% of adults have permits followed by Indiana and Iowa where the rate is 21.6% and 16.5% respectively. 

Additionally, the study found that permit holders tend to be law abiding.