CONFLICTING VIEWPOINTS ESSAY PART ONE
ANTHONY ORTIZ
DR. BYRON P WESS
CRITICAL THINKING
APRIL 16, 2015

For my assignment I chose “Should adults have the right to carry a concealed handgun.” My position on this issue is such that we have the right to defend ourselves and the right to bear arms. Which it does state in the second amendment the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. In today’s world we have too many victims who were preyed upon by criminals who felt superior because they believed themselves stronger. A premise that opposes my position is “Permitting concealed handguns increases crime.” What’s interesting about this view is that studies have shown that in the past few year’s crimes in rape, aggravated assault, robbery, auto theft, burglary, and larceny involving a concealed handgun have risen dramatically. What’s helpful about this view is it point out the fact that we avoid talking about concealed handguns laws when debating what to do about the roughly thousands of Americans that are murdered by gunfire each year. What I noticed if I were to believe this view is the number of the criminals able to walk the streets with a concealed handguns because of such state laws grant them permission. More guns create more opportunies for injury and death, not fewer. The sense that this condition might make this idea true is the research shows that it is more likely to reduce a person’s chance of being injured during a crime than various other forms of protective action. One study suggest that carrying a firearm may actually increase a victim’s risk of firearm injury during the commission of a crime. Another premise that opposes my position is “Criminals are most likely to carry a concealed handgun if they suspect that victims may also be armed.” What’s interesting about this view is criminals actually feel the need to protect