Millions of Americans are becoming more vigilant about their own personal safety by getting a concealed carry permit and packing a loaded pistol with them when they go out, according to a new study.

Scholars at Harvard University and the University of Washington found that of the 38 million Americans who own handguns, nine million carry a loaded pistol monthly.

And of those, three million pack every single day.

The reason for more than eight of 10 is simple — protecting themselves. Said the study, published in the American Journal of Public Health:

More than 80 percent of those who carried loaded guns said they did it primarily for protection.

Most grew up in a firearm-owning household.

And most have been threatened with a firearm within the past five years.

Four out of five people who carried loaded guns had a concealed carry permit, which are not required in all states to carry a weapon.

Recent shootings and concerns about terrorism have driven a surge in Americans obtaining their concealed carry permit and pistols. The rush has been especially noticeable among women and African Americans.

Justin Anderson, the marketing director of Hyatt Guns in Charlotte, N.C., one of the nation’s biggest, said the current political and legal climate in the nation plays a role.

“More importantly,” he recently told Secrets, “is the overall atmosphere in the country. I have never seen a more divided nation. That division breeds fear and fear has always been a driver of increased gun sales. In addition, you have terrorist incidents, uncertainty about North Korea, mass shootings, and threats of violent crime.”

The study comes as the nation is again fighting over gun control measures, the result of the Florida school shooting last week that left 17 dead.

The administration has indicated support for legislative fixes to the FBI background check system that the House and Senate have already OK’d but failed to get into law.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com