Concealed Weapons (or more specifically, handguns)

[Sesshoumaru]

Thats exactly how I feel about. Even if you don't agree with the whole "MOre Guns Less Crime" hypothesis, there is no credible evendence to suggest that liberalized concealed carry laws have a negative effect (although admitidly, there is some credible evidence suggesting that they don't have much of an effect on crime rates). And by negative effect I mean increasing crime or accident rates (this is really just common sense, seeing as how the people commiting most gun crimes, or who are most at risk of accidental injury/death are the same people who are most likely to be illegally carrying a gun anyway). So, at the very least, there isn't really anything to lose by enacting shall-issue. Defending yourself with a gun is widely accepted as teh most effective means of self-defense (in most cases, simply brandishing a gun is enough to stop an atatck, as the perpetrator typically flees at the sight of it; which has the unfortuante efect of putting other people at risk. A great example of this is that shortly after Florida enacted shall-issue, crime against tourists in marked rental cars skyrocketed, which lead to the state prohibiting the companies from clearly marking their vehicals). Also, licensing promotes safety by requiring training courses to be passed before a license can be issued (ok, not every state does this, but they should). Then theres the psycological benefits of knowing you have the means to defend yourself close to hand (although I can't speak for this personally, because I don't meet the age requirement for a permit in my state...yet), of course, other people might not feel as safe if they think every other guy they pass on the street is packing, but I'm sure they'll be able to deal with it eventually.