North Carolinians today are marking the 10th anniversary of our state’s concealed carry law, which allows permit holders to carry a concealed handgun. This landmark legislation shows our commitment to preserving our Constitutional freedoms and protecting law-abiding citizens. North Carolina’s concealed carry law is an enormous success because it empowers honest citizens and puts ruthless criminals on the defensive.

This law levels the playing field for law-abiding citizens in our streets and communities. These citizens know they will never worry about getting caught unprepared, unable to defend themselves against would-be attackers. The concealed carry law balances the scales, giving law-abiding North Carolinians the means to protect themselves when there’s no time for law enforcement to intervene.

Our concealed carry law also affects the mindset of criminals. Would-be murderers, rapists and thieves can no longer bet that their targets are unarmed just because they do not readily see a gun. Criminals can no longer target someone who looks defenseless; because with concealed carry, looks can be very deceiving. Thieves can no longer break into a home confident they will escape with someone else’s possessions, unchallenged. This law takes away the criminals’ advantage and puts it back where it belongs: in the hands of law-abiding citizens.

The evidence is clear: concealed carry laws are making our neighborhoods safer. According to data from the FBI, states offering concealed carry permits have lower crime rates than states that do not offer them. On average, these states have a 24% lower total crime rate with 22% lower murder rates, 37% lower robbery rates, and 20% lower aggravated assault rates than states without concealed carry laws. It is no coincidence that the nation’s overall violent crime rate has decreased over the last decade, when 13 states improved and 17 states (including North Carolina) established new concealed carry laws.

Statistics provided by the North Carolina Department of Justice based on reports from North Carolina sheriffs show that over 142,000 permits have been issued or renewed since the concealed carry law was enacted on December 1, 1995. Of this number, less than one-half of one percent of the permits have been revoked. These figures are evidence that North Carolinians who receive gun permits are treating their Constitutional right with respect. Honest citizens who receive a concealed carry permit must complete a gun safety course, ensuring they are well-trained gun owners. When given the opportunity, honest citizens have shown that they will use firearms in a responsible manner.

The 10th anniversary of North Carolina's concealed carry law is important for all North Carolinians who respect our Constitutional right to protect ourselves. I, for one, will work to ensure that 10 years from now, criminals will continue to know that law-abiding North Carolinians are the wrong people to target. We fight back.