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A new study from the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) challenges the common narrative about active shooter incidents, showing that armed civilians often stop attacks at a higher rate than law enforcement.
Key Findings of the CPRC Study
According to the study, which examined active shooter incidents in non-gun-free zones between 2014 and 2023:
Concealed carry permit holders stopped 51.5% of active shootings.
Police stopped 44.6% of such incidents.
Civilians with guns were found to make fewer mistakes during these crises compared to law enforcement.
The CPRC analyzed 515 active shooter cases and found that armed civilians prevented 180 attacks. In areas where concealed carry was allowed, permit holders stopped 158 out of 307 shootings — a clear indication that lawful gun owners play a crucial role in public safety.
Why Do Civilians Have Higher Success Rates?
John R. Lott Jr., president of the CPRC, explained why civilians might have an edge:
Element of surprise: Unlike police officers in uniform, armed civilians blend into the crowd. Attackers can’t easily identify them, giving permit holders a tactical advantage.
Targeted police: Shooters often aim to neutralize police first, putting officers at greater risk.
The study revealed that:
27 officers were killed trying to stop active shooters — a higher fatality rate than for permit holders.
100 officers were wounded (28.6%), compared to 24.4% of armed civilians.
Police accidentally shot the wrong person 2.6% of the time, while civilians did so only 0.56% of the time.
The Media vs. Reality
The CPRC study also highlighted the disconnect between TV portrayals of gun owners and reality. Lott pointed out that cop shows often show permit holders:
Accidentally shooting bystanders.
Getting killed trying to stop a crime.
Interfering with police.
However, the data paints a different picture — no permit holders interfered with law enforcement during active shooter incidents in the study.
The Political Divide on Gun Control
The report also touches on the ongoing gun control debate. Lott criticized the push for stricter gun laws, saying it contradicts the Second Amendment.
He noted that while the Biden administration has supported tighter firearm regulations, the Trump administration has worked to reverse these rules.
