Groundbreaking Study: Armed Citizens for a Safer Society

Hand placing handgun into beige handbag.

Armed citizens are making significant strides in stopping threats, questioning the liberal media’s narratives that often overlook their successes.

Quick Takes

CPRC study finds that civilians more effectively stop active shooters than police.
Permit holders have fewer mistakes when stopping shooters.
Data supports armed citizens’ effectiveness in crisis situations.
Responsible gun owners play a crucial role in public safety.

Uncovering Media Bias in Gun Narratives

Surely you’ve heard the expression, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” Well, contrary to the mainstream media’s anti-gun narratives, there may be more truth in that statement than we thought.

A study by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), led by John Lott Jr, reveals how armed civilians are actually more effective than police in stopping active shooters. The research indicates that these brave patriots, particularly those with concealed carry permits, are crucial in addressing threats. This challenges the media’s tendency to focus on gun control while downplaying the role of responsible gun ownership in public safety.

Statistical evidence from the CPRC found civilians stopped 180 of 515 active shooting cases between 2014 and 2023. This significant success rate highlights how armed citizens often handle threats effectively, contrary to some media portrayals. The data shows civilians stopped 158 out of 307 attacks in places where carrying is permitted, involving fewer mistakes compared to police interventions.

Role of Armed Civilians in Public Safety

The study underscores that permit holders play a pivotal role in protecting lives during crises. Armed civilians, unlike the common narrative, are not reckless vigilantes but responsible individuals who step in during moments of need. In areas allowing carrying, their success rate is noteworthy, with most interactions resulting in fewer casualties and very few incidents of friendly fire or collateral damage.

While police officers face high risks during interventions, with data showing they are six times more likely to be killed and 17% more likely to be wounded than armed civilians, the effectiveness of permit holders reinforces the importance of self-defense rights. Through skilled gun handling, civilians provide an essential line of defense where enforcement may fall short due to response times or other limitations.

Lott drives home the true message behind this study, stating, “These findings highlight a reality that is often ignored: responsible gun owners save lives. Concealed handgun permit holders aren’t reckless vigilantes, but they are law-abiding citizens who step up in moments of crisis when seconds matter and police are minutes away.”

Just weeks after GOA worked to repeal most of Wyoming's "Gun Free" zones in a historic win for Second Amendment rights, a new national study shows armed citizens are more likely to stop a mass shooting than police.

Armed citizens save lives!https://t.co/NlLGV5N5eT

— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) March 17, 2025

Addressing the Need for a Balanced Narrative

The discourse on gun control and active shooter situations must encompass the significant contributions of civilians. Media and public narratives should reflect the factual data that responsible gun owners are crucial players in community safety. These individuals intervene effectively in active shooter events, reflecting on the protective value of the Second Amendment and the beneficiaries of the security it provides.

Acknowledging these realities not only aids in shaping informed public opinion but also fosters an environment where brave patriots can continue to provide crucial assistance in dire situations. As the debate around gun rights and responsibilities continues, the role of armed citizens in ensuring public safety merits thorough consideration and balanced representation in media accounts.