[ixl4]

I have been seriously thinking about becoming an active promotoer of concealed weapon permits in Illinois... I am talking about actively doing something to change our stupid laws...

I would like to hear some opinions.

Why do you think people should be allowed to carry?

Why do you think people should NOT be allowed to carry?

I want your best arguments for both... not the usual if law abiding citizens cant then only criminals have them etc... give me something better.

You are (for the most part) all Americans and this should be a serious matter so state your opinion.

Thanks

[MCanavan]

I think that it has it pros and cons.
PROS:
- Protection against rape/robbery/beating/etc.
- Feeling of safety (not being afraid to leave your home)

CONS:
- Risk of having people walking around with concealed weapons
- Abusing guns as a form of protection

[ixl4]

What percentage of the population do you think would actually take use of a CCW permit and carry while in public?

[Yule16MET]

this is what kept me alive for a year. I WILL stop anybody trying to take it from me

[kairo]

An armed society is a safe, polite society

when a cop pulls over a person with a CCW, the officer knows the following:
that individual has not been in a mental institution
that individual has receieved firearms training
that individual believes in his duty to protect himself and others
that individual has submitted to a thorough FBI background check
that individual has never been convicted of a felony.

How much do they know about the others they pull over?

[blumeeny]

Cons: Road Ragers, Little league dad, Jr. Hockey dad. Those who ignore every otrher law will not obey gun laws.

Pros: Criminals will have a harder time figuring out the easy marks. Law breakers will have reason to fear the law abiding. "When I "accesorize" for road trips, camping and bad neighborhoods, I will do so legally for a change.

[wm69]

Originally Posted by blumeeny

Cons: Road Ragers, Little league dad, Jr. Hockey dad. Those who ignore every otrher law will not obey gun laws.

.

Right, they won't obey gun laws, so they probably won't worry about whether or not they have a permit to carry concealed. The road rage I can see a possible problem. That said even a severely pissed off person will have to wonder "is that person carrying too?" You get someone who would pull a gun over road rage/little league etc they're going to do something crazy/stupid regardless so if I am put in that situation I hope several people around me have CCW and are carrying. You're always gonna have nutcases out there and if someone is going to pull a gun and start shooting the best end to the situation is the removal of that nutcase by someone else who is carrying.

[scottcha]

Pros-

law abidng citizens should be able to protect themselves, regardless of which state they reside.

[Rocky5]

Originally Posted by kairo

An armed society is a safe, polite society

when a cop pulls over a person with a CCW, the officer knows the following:
that individual has not been in a mental institution
that individual has receieved firearms training
that individual believes in his duty to protect himself and others
that individual has submitted to a thorough FBI background check
that individual has never been convicted of a felony.

How much do they know about the others they pull over?

well said.. i know ALOT of officers around here and they say they actually LIKE people having them around here for alot of these same reasons....

"most" people that have a CHL know the laws and are better informed of the law than those who do not have a CHL.

[blumeeny]

Originally Posted by wm69

I hope several people around me have CCW and are carrying. You're always gonna have nutcases out there and if someone is going to pull a gun and start shooting the best end to the situation is the removal of that nutcase by someone else who is carrying.

I hope so too. But since I live in a blue state, everybody will look the other way, and even if a good samaritan did plug him,the Idiot who got himself shot will sue.

[odanny]

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/mar/24/concealed_guns_approved/?kansas_legislature

[Bgeddes]

A ban on concealed permits doesn't do anything but endanger the general public. The criminal element will carry guns regardless of what the statute says. No one wants gun control more than the very worst of society. With the good folks not carrying a gun, everyone is a soft target, with a means to legally arm themselves, it becomes a gamble for the people looking for trouble. Consider it like the law banning drugs, most are illegal, so the general public only uses what is legal, alcohol and tobacco. However, another group of people does whatever they want. This is the arguement I use when someone tells me if guns were banned the criminals wouldn't be able to get them. Drugs are illegal, can criminals get drugs? Pretty much everyone can get a gun and do harm if they choose, some people already do, so what is the point of banning guns.

[olds442]

its a fact that in places where they tighten up gun laws crime increases, i think ill keep my guns

[PigSteak]

i live in GA and am in college. i rent a house by myself and when im in bed at nite im glad i have a Kahr 9mm 3 ft away on the bedside table. i have about 6 guns (most for hunting) and most cops i know support citizens having guns legally. i also like when i go to buy a gun and they call to get clearance or whatever and i get cleared immediately cause im trained and licensed to have guns.

people always feel safe staying at my place, and it always seems to keep things calm when i have parties at my place cause ppl know better than to get out of hand over here...

[Poseidon17]

I am against any push for a law that says civilians can carry concealed weapons. In my eyes, people think this is the wild west, that anyone who has a gun can uphold the law and "protect" the public. Give me a break, they justify having guns by saying criminals have guns, so they should have them too? I see no reason to carry a gun on me. If I get mugged, I'll get mugged but at least I'll live. No material thing is worth losing my life over. If I pull a gun on the mugger, or any criminal, that gives him a reason to kill me. And there's no reason for someone to threaten my actual life, because i have no enemies. Evil begets evil, if you carry a gun for whatever reason, you are looking for trouble.