# Why have concealed weapon? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 22, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615 "2008-09-22T01:29:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/1 "2008-09-22T01:29:21Z")
We take photos of people that are applying for their ‘Concealed and Carry’ permit. Often, they will explain why they need the permit; in almost every case it seems to me that they would be better off simply having it out in the open. An example would be my sister-in-law who owned a laundrymat in a bad part of Kansas City. My brother asked what kind of handgun she should carry when she closed up shop and took all the quarters to the bank. I said that she would be better off with a Remington riot shotgun slung over her shoulder so that she could ‘fire from the hip’. That seemed like way more of a deterrent than a handgun that would be produced only after she was surrounded by the group of thugs. Wouldn’t six shooters on your hips or an Uzi slug on you shoulder be better than a concealed gun? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/2 "2008-09-22T01:39:06Z")
Putting a jacket on, over a gun at your hip, can be concealed carry. Further, leaving the gun as exposed as open carry laws may require, may expose it to unnecessary wear and tear. If I were going to open carry, I would get a concealed license as well, just in case. Also, open carry may not be legal or may be more difficult to obtain than concealed carry. Depending on state. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/3 "2008-09-22T01:45:01Z")
It’s probably safer for the criminals not to know exactly who has a gun and who doesn’t. If they see you have a gun, it might deter them, but if they do decide to attack you or rob you then they will probably kill you outright without warning. Or, they might try to take your gun from you. A person carrying a pistol in crowded public spaces could have it taken from them. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/4 "2008-09-22T02:23:54Z")
Living in Washington a decade and a half ago, I needed a CCW to carry a pistol in my car. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/5 "2008-09-22T02:29:31Z")
I have no interest in drawing attention to myself. It only takes one person who is either afraid of guns, doesn’t understand the law, or hates the idea that people are permitted to carry weapons to call the cops, and dealing with the police over a gun-related issue, even if you are in the right, takes a long time and a lot of patience. Even that is no guarantee that you won’t be charged with a crime by a DA that does not approve of concealed carry such as disturbing the peace or brandishing a weapon. What you don’t know can’t hurt you, and it can’t hurt me. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/6 "2008-09-22T02:31:32Z")
> [@riker1384](#): > > It’s probably safer for the criminals not to know exactly who has a gun and who doesn’t. If they see you have a gun, it might deter them, but if they do decide to attack you or rob you then they will probably kill you outright without warning. Or, they might try to take your gun from you. A person carrying a pistol in crowded public spaces could have it taken from them. Along the same lines, one could say it would arguably make things more dangerous for people who _aren’t_ carrying exposed firearms. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/7 "2008-09-22T03:01:39Z")
If you’re in a group of people that some criminal(s) is/are about to act upon, don’t you think they’d go for the obviously armed person first? It’s a combative advantage for the bad guy not to know who is armed and who isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/8 "2008-09-22T03:06:58Z")
Simply if a person sees I have a weapon he can get his buds and take it off me. If I’m distracted by one and not expected to have to draw it. If he doesn’t know who has a gun or not he’ll leave me alone. Most criminals want stolen guns, if they know WHO has the gun it is easy to get it off of someone, simply by following them and waiting till they take it off. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/9 "2008-09-22T03:33:31Z")
If they need to carry a weapon to feel safe, it’s probably not wise to advertise that fact. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/10 "2008-09-22T03:57:53Z")
By the way, before someone accuses me of being anti-gun, I’m not. Personally I think gun ownership should be encouraged and would champion the sawed off shotgun. I am however anti concealed weapons, though I wouldn’t outlaw that either. I personally feel the right to carry concealed equates strongly with the right to rob the 7-11, defend your drug turf or make spree shootings easier. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/11 "2008-09-22T04:01:30Z")
Because it’s impolite. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/12 "2008-09-22T04:03:18Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > By the way, before someone accuses me of being anti-gun, I’m not. Personally I think gun ownership should be encouraged and would champion the sawed off shotgun. I am however anti concealed weapons, though I wouldn’t outlaw that either. I personally feel the right to carry concealed equates strongly with the right to rob the 7-11, defend your drug turf or make spree shootings easier. Great. Now you can substantiate your feelings by demonstrating that those who have the legal right to carry a concealed weapon by going through the rigamarole of getting a concealed carry permit do any of those things. Since you feel that it “equates strongly” with violent crime, I would ask that you put your feelings aside and take a look. I’d imagine that you’ll find that the reality isn’t at all as sinister as you imagine it to be. ---
**Author:** ![A\_shameful\_cracka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@A\_shameful\_cracka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_shameful_cracka)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/13 "2008-09-22T04:07:44Z")
My state (Texas) bans open carry. Concealed weapon permit is the only way to carry if you aren’t in law enforcement. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/14 "2008-09-22T04:16:47Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > I am however anti concealed weapons, though I wouldn’t outlaw that either. I personally feel the right to carry concealed equates strongly with the right to rob the 7-11, defend your drug turf or make spree shootings easier. Well that’s nice and all, but the statistics disagree with your personal feelings. Concealed weapon holders are among the least violent and most law-abiding citizens: [Concealed carry - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concealed_carry#Statistics) [http://www.sacsconsulting.com/ccw\_Statistics.htm](http://www.sacsconsulting.com/ccw_Statistics.htm) [http://www.progress.org/fold111.htm](http://www.progress.org/fold111.htm) etc… I find it odd that you claim that carrying concealed weapons somehow relates to criminal activities? Huh? What’s your logic? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/15 "2008-09-22T04:21:54Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > Great. Now you can substantiate your feelings by demonstrating that those who have the legal right to carry a concealed weapon by going through the rigamarole of getting a concealed carry permit do any of those things. Since you feel that it “equates strongly” with violent crime, I would ask that you put your feelings aside and take a look. I’d imagine that you’ll find that the reality isn’t at all as sinister as you imagine it to be. You mistake my meaning, probably because I worded it poorly. Except for spree some spree shooters, I don’t doubt that most CCW carriers are law abiding folks. I’m saying that the existence of folks carrying contributes to the overall amount of handguns on the street. Like I said though, I wouldn’t outlaw it anyway, that ship has sailed. I personally find the handgun an inefficient weapon whose primary use has evolved to facilitate crime, not crime prevention. Though it may have some deterrent effect, its harm far outweighs its usefulness, and I say this as a former combat medic who qualified with the 9mm and .45. . ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/16 "2008-09-22T04:23:40Z")
> [@BrandonR](#): > > Well that’s nice and all, but the statistics disagree with your personal feelings. Concealed weapon holders are among the least violent and most law-abiding citizens: [Concealed carry - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concealed_carry#Statistics) [http://www.sacsconsulting.com/ccw\_Statistics.htm](http://www.sacsconsulting.com/ccw_Statistics.htm) [http://www.progress.org/fold111.htm](http://www.progress.org/fold111.htm) etc… > > I find it odd that you claim that carrying concealed weapons somehow relates to criminal activities? Huh? What’s your logic? 😕 Because the stolen handgun is the favorite weapon of drug dealers, gang bangers and muggers. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/17 "2008-09-22T04:24:32Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > I personally find the handgun an inefficient weapon whose primary use has evolved to facilitate crime, not crime prevention. Though it may have some deterrent effect, its harm far outweighs its usefulness, and I say this as a former combat medic who qualified with the 9mm and .45. So what should police officers carry, then? M-16s? Riot shotguns? Rubber chickens? ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/18 "2008-09-22T04:26:22Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > Because the stolen handgun is the favorite weapon of drug dealers, gang bangers and muggers. Are most of these handguns stolen out of the holsters of CC-permit-holders as they’re walking down the street, or are they stolen from the _houses_ of handgun owners who may or may not be CC-ers? I’d say this makes a lot of difference. You’re throwing around an awful lot of claims and not any evidence to back it up. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/19 "2008-09-22T04:28:23Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > So what should police officers carry, then? M-16s? Riot shotguns? Rubber chickens? Come on, did I really have to spell out the exceptions for law enforcemetn and security types. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615/20 "2008-09-22T04:28:38Z")
My point is that you do people with CCW permits a disservice by associating them with criminals. A severe disservice. As far as efficiency goes, I find it ironic that you would say that a handgun is inefficient while simultaneously calling it a major contributor to violent crime. If it is, that underlines its effectiveness, not its inefficiency, and therefore it becomes a quite effective means of self-defense. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-concealed-weapon/464615.md?page=2)