The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), a Bellevue‑based gun‑rights organization, released a statement on Thursday emphasizing recent FBI crime statistics that contradict the common claim that more private firearms lead to higher violent crime rates.
FBI data shows notable year‑to‑year declines
According to the FBI’s annual crime report, nationwide violent offenses fell sharply between 2024 and 2025. Murder and non‑negligent manslaughter incidents dropped by an estimated 18.1%, robbery offenses fell by about 18.5%, and aggravated assault cases decreased by roughly 7.2%. The agency noted that these reductions represent the largest year‑to‑year decline in violent crime since the FBI began compiling estimates in 1936.
CCRKBA ties the trend to expanding gun ownership
CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb pointed to the data as evidence that expanding private firearm ownership does not undermine public safety. “Yet here we are, following years of steady firearms sales, resulting in expanded gun ownership, and violent crime has plummeted,” Gottlieb said. He added that the FBI’s own release confirms the trend, and he criticized mainstream media for overlooking the story.
Gottlieb also referenced industry figures showing millions of guns sold annually, an estimated 20 million licensed concealed‑carry permit holders across the United States, and the recent passage of permitless “constitutional carry” laws in 29 states. He cited recent Supreme Court decisions that reaffirm Second Amendment protections as further context for the nation’s evolving gun‑policy landscape.
Critique of gun‑control advocates
In the same statement, Gottlieb accused gun‑control advocates of ignoring the data. “Gun prohibitionists remain silent, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge their hysteria‑driven rhetoric has been wrong,” he said, adding that their goal is “public disarmament” rather than public safety. He warned that the FBI data “just let the air out of their tires” and urged opponents to adjust their messaging.
Implications for the national conversation
The release arrives as the nation continues to debate the balance between Second Amendment rights and public‑safety concerns. While some policymakers argue for stricter regulations, the CCRKBA’s interpretation of the FBI statistics suggests that higher rates of lawful gun ownership may coexist with declining violent crime.
Lawmakers, advocacy groups, and citizens alike will likely reference these figures in upcoming legislative discussions at both state and federal levels. The data may also influence future court cases that examine the scope of constitutional gun rights.
Looking ahead
As the FBI prepares its next annual report, stakeholders on both sides of the gun‑rights debate will be watching closely to see whether the downward trend continues. For now, the CCRKBA sees the numbers as a clear indication that private gun ownership does not inherently increase violent crime, and they intend to use the findings to bolster their ongoing advocacy for Second Amendment protections.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
