Legalizing Concealed Weapons May Deter Crime Essay -- Argumentative Pe

Legalizing Concealed Weapons May Deter Crime A concealed weapon is a firearm hidden on a person. Thomas Jefferson once wrote that "laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man"(Lee 147). "In Florida, 315,000 permits had been issued to citizens for concealed weapons by December 31, 1995. Only five have been revoked because the permit holder committed a violent crime with a gun" ( Kopel 129). Many crimes could have been avoided if you could carry a concealed weapon in every state. "If the states that do not have right - to - carry concealed guns had adopted the laws in 1992, approximately 1,570 murders; 4,177 rapes; and over 60,000 aggravated assaults would have been avoided yearly" (Kopel 129). Many people worry that innocent people or trained police officers would get hurt. The idea that poorly trained, armed people looking to become heroes would make it more dangerous for innocent people. Many law-enforcement organizations say different. They voluntarily issue concealed carry permits to citizens who pass a background checks. The concealed-carry movement is based on the principle that responsible citizens should not expect government to provide them with the essentials of life. Providing for the safety of one's self and one's family is first of all a personal duty. In the past five years in Miami, four concealed weapons permits have been revoked for criminal misuses of concealed weapons. Everyone may benefit from concealed-carry reform.... ... Brady, chairman of Handgun Control, said, "I don't believe gun owners have rights." Rosie O'Donnell said I honestly think-and I am not an expert on the amendments-I think the only people in this nation who should be allowed to own guns are police officers. I don't care if you want to hunt; I don't care if you think it's your right. I say 'sorry'. It is 1999 we have had enough as a nation. You are not allowed to own a gun and if you do own a gun, I think you should go to prison (Lee 149). I believe like Thomas Jefferson did that laws that forbid the carrying of arms, disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. In the future crime rates might drop, but that does not mean that all violent crime will stop. Carrying a concealed weapon does not guarantee that you will not be a victim, but I think it will help to protect yourself.