Armed Civilians Stop 49% Of All Active Sh**Ter Incidents In The U.S.

Fast Fact: Armed civilians stop 49% of all active sh**ter incidents in the U.S. According to data from the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC)

The CPRC’s analysis of active sh**ter incidents in 2024 shows that armed civilians stopped nearly 50% of these attacks.

However, when excluding gun-free zones—where law-abiding citizens are often disarmed by anti-gun policies—the rate jumps to over 65%.
The armed civilian typically stopped the criminal sh**ter within seconds, much faster than the average police response time of 5–11 minutes, proving that armed citizens can be the first line of defense against violent criminals.

The CPRC also found that concerns about innocent bystanders being shot, or police mistaking an armed civilian for a sh**ter are unfounded, saying there are no documented cases in their extensive database.

According to the CPRC, when armed civilians are not around - because of restrictive gun-free zone policies - active sh**ters inflict devastating casualties.

Some examples are:
Robb Elementary School, Uvalde, Texas (May 2022):

A gunman walked into the school, k*lled 19 students and two teachers, while injuring 17 others.
The absence of an armed civilian allowed the shooter to act unchecked in the gun-free zone.

Tops Supermarket, Buffalo, New York (May 2022):

A sh**ter targeted a grocery store, k*lling 10 people and injuring three.

An armed security guard was present but was quickly overwhelmed and k*lled, leaving no effective armed resistance.

Highland Park Parade, Illinois (July 2022):

During a Fourth of July parade, a gunman opened fire from a rooftop, k*lling seven people and wounding dozens more.

No armed civilians were reported at the scene, and the sh**ter fled before being arrested later.

The CPRC’s data suggests that mass sh**ters often target locations where they know resistance will be minimal.

The CPRC also notes that some of the states with the most restrictive gun control laws – also have some of the highest gun violence rates in the nation.

Gavin Newsom's California has the strictest gun laws in the nation:

Newsom has been a leading advocate for stringent gun control.
He championed Proposition 63 in 2016, which mandated background checks for ammunition purchases and banned high-capacity magazines.
In 2024, he signed multiple anti-gun laws, including AB 1483 (restricting handgun purchases to one per 30 days), AB 1598 (requiring firearm dealers to provide risk-related pamphlets), and AB 2917 (expanding criteria for gun violence restraining orders).
Despite a 2025 9th Circuit Court ruling striking down ammunition background checks, Newsom has defended California’s restrictive laws, arguing they reduce gun violence.
Shooting stats for 2024:

Total Shootings: ~1,200 (incidents where at least one person was shot, excluding suicides)
Mass Shootings: 26 (four or more people shot, excluding the shooter)
Shooting Deaths: ~1,200 (non-suicide gun deaths)

Jared Polis (Colorado, Democrat) has signed over two dozen gun control laws since 2019, including:
#Colorado
A 2024 “permit-to-purchase” law (SB-3) requiring background checks, waiting periods, and mandatory training for concealed carry permits, including an eight-hour class with a written exam and live-fire exercise.
These laws also ban certain semi-automatic rifles like AR-15s.
Shooting stats for 2024:
Total Shootings: ~600
Mass Shootings: 4
Shooting Deaths: 400

Kathy Hochul (New York, Democrat): Hochul has pushed for strict gun control measures, calling the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down New York’s restrictive concealed carry law “reckless”
#newyork
In 2024, she supported legislation strengthening red flag laws, expanding background checks, and regulating online ammunition sales.
Shooting stats 2024:
Total Shootings: ~900
Mass Shootings: 5
Shooting Deaths: 300

Jay Inslee (Washington, Democrat): Inslee has signed multiple gun restriction laws in recent years, including
#Washington
2024 measures banning open carry in certain public spaces and strengthening background checks.
Washington’s 2023 assault weapons ban, supported by Inslee, prohibits the sale of certain semi-automatic rifles.
He has also backed red flag laws and waiting periods, citing the need to prevent mass shootings and suicides.

These laws have faced legal challenges, with Second Amendment advocates arguing they violate constitutional rights.
Shooting stats 2024
Total Shootings: ~500
Mass Shootings: 3
Shooting Deaths: 300
Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan, Democrat):
#Michigan
Whitmer signed several gun control bills in 2023 and 2024, including universal background checks, safe storage laws, and red flag laws
Shooting stats 2024
Total Shootings: ~700
Mass Shootings: 4
Shooting deaths 600