Since concealed carry firearm permits were legalized in Chicago earlier this year, the city has seen an almost immediate drop in many major gun-related offenses. Though residents say they feel “less safe” with more legal guns on the streets, the numbers regarding their safety tell a different tale.
According to the Washington Times, robbery and auto theft have dropped over 20 percent, while homicides are at their lowest rate in decades.
“It isn’t any coincidence crime rates started to go down when concealed carry was permitted. Just the idea that the criminals don’t know who’s armed and who isn’t has a deterrence effect,” an executive from the Illinois State Rifle Association told the Times.