Arizona is nationally known for its relaxed concealed carry laws.
This year, the state Senate voted to allow anyone with a concealed carry permit bring their weapon into most government buildings.
New research in the American Journal of Epidemiology shows a strong uptick gun violence in states with relaxed restrictions.
When researchers studied trends in gun violence in 34 states that relaxed concealed carry regulations over the past 40 years, they found that moving to less restrictive laws corresponded to an almost 10% increase in gun assaults.
That rise reached 24% when laws did not require training or deny permits to people with a history of instability or violence.
Arizona allows citizens over 21 with legal firearms to carry them loaded and concealed without a permit, but those seeking concealed carry permits must demonstrate competence via a training course or equivalent.
