Argumentative Essay On Concealed Weapons

Studies across the U.S. show that "1% increase in a state 's gun-ownership rate has also been associated with a 3% decrease in violent crime." ( Lott 1) Many states have adopted concealed carry laws over sixty years ago. No state has ever taken out the law, and no state had ever made its law more restrictive. Some opponents think that the solution to crime is stricter gun control. The truth is that the right to carry concealed weapons enables law-abiding citizens to protect themselves against crime. Opponents have concerns that the right to carry concealed weapons would cause people to lose their tempers easily, police officers would be killed more often, and crime would increase, but these concerns have all been proven unfounded.

Opponents believe that people who carry concealed weapons will lose their temper wherever they may be, and shoot someone. The truth of the matter, "Is only one time has a citizen ever used their concealed weapon in a traffic accident, and it was ruled justifiable self-defense." (Lott 5) Research also proves that "Only extremely law abiding citizens are permit holders"(Lott 1) The fact is that, "In North Carolina permit holders have not had a permit revoked as a result of use of a gun in a crime."(Lott 4)

The opposing side also believes that police officers will be injured or
killed by a person who conceals a weapon. "There is no record in any state with a conceal carry law that a permit holder has ever killed a police officer." (Lott1) There are police who said that they would not be alive today if it had not been for a citizen with a permitted concealed handgun. If people who oppose this law are correct, then why do "Police officers support concealed carry laws by a three to one margin?"(LAPD 3)

Evidence has shown that crime has decreased in many states that allow concealed carry of a handgun, not increased. The more people obtain permits over time, the more violent crime rates have declined. For each additional year that these laws are in effect murders declined by another three percent, rapes by two percent, and robberies by two percent. It is a well-known fact that criminals prefer attacking victims that they consider weak. It is proven that, "States let law abiding citizens carry concealed weapons, and have experienced a large drop in the crime rate." ( Lott 2)

The second amendment says, " That a well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." (2nd Amendment 1) The right to carry concealed weapons should not be infringed upon, because it says so in the constitution.
Studies also show that, "Restrictive laws have either increased crime or have had no effect." Therefore, opposers who say permit holders will lose their tempers, that police officers will be hurt, and that crime will decrease have been proven wrong. It is the criminals, not law abiding citizens, who have the most fear from citizens being able to defend
themselves.

Work Cited

Lott, John. "More Guns, Less Crime." Newsday Inc, 2000.

Lott, John. "Do concealed guns deter crime?" The Kansas City Star. (2000, March 20):

2pp Online. Bricknet. 5-10-00.

Lott, John. "Proposition B: More Security or Greater Danger?" St. Louis Post Dispatch

(2000, March 21): 3 pp Online. Bricknet. 5-10-00.

Lott, John. "Concealed guns reduce crime; if people are packing, crooks think twice"

Star Tribune. (2000, August16): 5 pp Online. Bricknet. 5-10-00.

Lott, John. "The cold, hard facts about Guns" Chicago Tribune. (2000, May 8): 2pp

Online. Bricknet. 5-10-00.