Allowing concealed carry is a deterrent for crime in America. Criminals are less likely to rob someone if they think that they had a gun. Both individuals and the general public are safer, because criminals do not know who is armed and who is not. In the year 2000, a study by John Lott PhD showed that the legalization of concealed carry permit reduced homicides by 8.5%, aggravated assaults by 7%, rape by 5%, and robbery by 3%. Dr. Lott said, that "If states that did not permit concealed handgun in 1992 had permitted them in 1977, 1,570 murders, 4,177 rapes, 60,000 aggravated assaults would have been permitted and 12,000 robberies." This study shows the effectiveness of the laws that are currently in place. If this law were to be repealed these percentages would climb back to where they were before concealed carry was legal. .
This is a country built upon protecting the well-being of its people, and, more so protecting its people's freedom, specifically the freedom to keep and bear arms. The 2nd Amendment of our U.S. Constitution states "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." Obviously, as many people know, this amendment allows Americans the right to own a gun, as it states "to keep" arms. "To bear" is still a phrase that is often misunderstood. The definition of the word "bear" is "to carry." It is very clearly stated that our country was built on the principles and intent of allowing Americans to carry weapons on their person. In December 11, 2012, in the United States Supreme Court case Moore v Madigan, the courts struck down the Illinois state law that prohibited carrying a gun in open public. .
Judge Richard Posner, speaking for the majority, said, "The 2nd amendments right to bear arms must be interpreted to include a right to have a conceal gun in public to have it ready for use and to have it for self-defense.
