Argumentative Essay

Riley Sheheane

Dr. Joseph Weakland 

Literature 1101

12 April 2020

Concealed Carry Permit 

            Most states including Georgia, require you to be 21 to legally carry a concealed pistol. I believe that this should change for many reasons. Being able to protect yourself from harm’s way is very important and gives you peace of mind that you can protect yourself for whatever danger might lie ahead. Being in college and moving away from home is a big step in everyone lives. With that comes more responsibility and freedom which can sometimes lead to bad situations. 

            Knowing you can protect yourself in one of these situations can give you and your loved ones a thought of security. That is why I believe that the age to conceal carry should be lowered to 18. Yes, you should have to go through all the training and background checks for you to be able to obtain this license, but at the age of 18 for most people is when you become more self-sufficient out on your 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 lower crime rates on college students which can be high in most big cities. This will give parents that have college students 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 safe in a new area or new town. Even a walk back to your car from a restaurant can 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 they knew they would be able to protect themselves. Having no way to protect yourself can leave you vulnerable to a bad attack or robbery. 

            Another reason the age should be lowered, is because you are able to go fight for your country overseas and protect the ones that live here but can’t even protect yourself when you are home.  Being in the military at the age of 18 gives you clearance to carry a concealed pistol if you are back on the homeland, but if you are not in the military you have to be 21. This is wrong, I believe, because if some 18 year old adults are allowed to carry then all should, but they must go through the same training. 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. Secondly 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, I believe you should have the right to carry a concealed pistol. 

            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. 18 is the perfect age to begin carrying. It teaches responsibility and gives us the protection we need. Carrying a handgun requires maturity and realizing that you are carrying a powerful tool that can end a living-beings life. 

            Living in a country that allows you to open or conceal carry is a privilege and should be used by everyone to protect themselves or their families. This is why 18 year old adults should be allowed to carry a firearm, I believe, if you are old enough to vote and fight for your country you should be allowed to protect yourself in your own home.