Argumentative essay

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Riley Sheheane

Dr. Joseph Weakland

Literature 1101

12 April 2020

Concealed Carry Permit

The first time I had ever held a gun I was 5 years old. My dad wanted to take me hunting and to start to teach me the importance of gun safety. I was taught to be extremely safe, and quickly learned just how dangerous a gun can be. Of course I was never allowed to hunt on my own until I completed the safety course which is required by the state of Georgia, which teaches you the basics of hunting on your own and how to use a rifle safely. This is major step in teaching young people the values of gun safety. Being brought up to understand the values of gun safety is important and will be with you for your life.

Fast forward to the end of my senior year in High School and I was choosing where I might go for my postsecondary education. It was a daunting task to figure out where I might want to go to continue my life. When you move to a new town, it is important to know how to defend yourself particularly if you get into a bad section of that town. It is a necessity to know how to be safe and cautious when moving to a new city or even state, because you never know what might happen. That is why it is obvious to me to that you should be able to protect yourself. This is why I am convinced the age to conceal carry should be lowered to 18. This would provide security in unpredictable situations of young adults and whoever might be with them.

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According to U.S Concealed Carry, most states including Georgia, require you to be 21 to legally carry a concealed pistol. I believe that this requirement should change for many reasons. Specifically, being able to protect yourself from harm’s way is extremely important and gives you peace of mind that you are equipped to protect yourself from whatever danger might lie ahead. Moving away from home to go to college is a big step in everyone’s lives. With that comes more responsibility and freedom which can sometimes lead to bad situations.

Knowing that you can protect yourself in a threatening situation can give you and your loved ones a thought of security. Because of this I’m convinced that the age to conceal carry should be lowered from 21 to 18. Yes, you should have to go through all the training and background checks for you to be able to obtain this license for your sake as well as the sakes of those around you. Most people who have moved away from home at the age of 18 is when they must become more self-sufficient out on their own. Every man and woman should be ready to protect themselves in case disaster strikes which can be in a moment’s notice. Having the age lowered to 18 can also decrease crime activity against college students. In most big cities crime can be high causing college students to be victims. A prime example of this would be in 1978 Ted Bundy at Florida State University. This is one of many college town tragedies. Which could of help been prevented if young adults were allowed to carry a pistol. A concealed carry permit for a college freshman at the age of 18 will give parents that have a student a better feeling of confidence that their son or daughter is safe away from home.

Lowering the age to carry can help any college student feel that they have the necessary tools to be safe in a new area or a new town. Even a walk back to your car from a restaurant can

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take a turn for the worst and having a gun to protect you and anyone you are with can be the difference between life and death. This law would also discourage criminals to commit crimes on

younger adults if the criminals knew the students would be able to defend themselves. Having no way to protect yourself can leave you vulnerable to a bad attack or robbery.

Arguably, another reason the age should be lowered, is because our government enlists 18 year old to go fight for our country overseas. These young men and women are called upon to protect the ones that live here but can’t even protect themselves when they are home. Being in the military at the age of 18 gives you clearance to carry a concealed pistol when you are back on the homeland, but if you are not in the military you have to be 21. This is not logical to my way of thinking because if some 18 year old adults are allowed to carry then all should, but they must go through the same training to be confirmed as a responsible gun carrier. Carrying a concealed handgun should require a lot of training and background checks. A pistol is a very deadly weapon and can be hidden easily.

In addition when you are 18 you are allowed to vote for leaders in our country but cannot carry a concealed firearm. If you are allowed to vote for leaders in your country and fight for our freedom, it is my strong opinion that you should have the right to carry a concealed pistol. Which only helps prevent crimes that should not be happening.

Our second amendment gives the people of the United States the right to bear arms and to protect what is ours. The adult citizens of the United States should be allowed to carry a pistol to protect them and what is theirs. Eighteen is the perfect age to begin carrying. It teaches responsibility and gives us the protection we need. Carrying a handgun requires maturity and the

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realization that you are carrying a powerful tool that can end a living-beings life. Having this access at your fingertips is a privilege and should be taken seriously by everyone.

Living in a country that allows you to open or conceal carry is a right and should be used by everyone to protect themselves or their families especially young adults in a new atmosphere.

This is why 18 year old adults should be allowed to carry a firearm. In short it seems reasonable to consider if you are old enough to vote and to fight for your country then you should be allowed to protect yourself in your own home.