I always have a problem with "studies" that claim one single factor being the important one, and the reason for changes in things like crime statistics, good or bad.
In the linked article, the study looked at data from June 2022 to June 2023 and found crime went down.
I have no doubt it did go down, and that permitless carry was
A factor, but I don't see where one can say it was the deciding factor.
Alot of things changed after Covid hit, particularly the number of people being out and about doing things. We still have not completely recovered to pre "panicdemic" levels in many ways.
Point here is that MAYBE crime numbers went down simply because there were fewer people on the streets doing bad things.
One can correlate (co-relate) anything if you set your parameters broadly enough, but correlation is not causation, absent additional supporting data.
As another example, take a look at various protests, marches, and demonstrations, and see how their numbers drop drastically as the general temperature drops. Social conditions creating the reason for the protests don't change, but the number of people willing to go out in freezing weather to protest, certainly does!
When Florida relaxed its carry requirements some years ago (and where freezing temps is not a factor) crime did go down. overall, but crime against tourists went up! Seems that bad guys specifially targeted people with out of state licence plates, since they knew those people would not be armed, and reduced attacks on FL residents because they could no longer be sure those people were not armed.
This is the benefit of permitless (concealed) carry, bad guys reduce their attacks because they can't be sure they won't get shot!
I don't think that is the ONLY reason crime numbers go down, but I do think it plays a part. And it should be something govt considers.