In the Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights, America's founding fathers gave us the right to bear arms for self-defense. Although everyone in America has the right to own a gun, you must have a concealed carry permit to bring a concealed handgun into a public space. Through people carrying concealed handguns, we can reduce violent crime. Each state must determine whether it allows concealed weapons. If the state allows concealed weapons to be carried, people must go through a lengthy process before they can receive their concealed weapons permit. A person must first fill out the application, then "state police post the names on a private website for local law enforcement agencies to review and object to if police believe the there is a problem with a requester” (Litchfield). This helps ensure that people with a history of violence will not be allowed to receive a concealed weapons permit. If there are no objections, the applicant must complete a 16-hour course before obtaining their license. In this course he does a lot of things to increase his knowledge about gun safety. They have their photo taken, their fingerprints scanned and they pay the license fee. Then the learning begins. They are taught "firearm safety, fundamentals of marksmanship, careful cleaning loading and unloading of concealable firearms, applicable state and federal laws, handling of weapons, and understanding the moment to intervene” (Litchfield). This course is the most important part of the process. to receive your license. It teaches how to be responsible with your own firearm. It would not be fair to allow anyone to carry a firearm without knowing how to use it properly and safely. Why do people spend all this time and effort to receive a ...... middle of paper concealed... ...se to receive the permit.Works CitedHawkins, AWR. Concealed carry reduces crime, period, but especially violent crime. BreitBart. August 25, 2013. Newspaper source: Web. March 19, 2014. Litchfield, Heidi. There are many steps required before obtaining a concealed carry permit. Morris DailyHerald (IL) February 14, 2014: Newspaper Source Plus. Internet. March 18, 2014.Lott. John. Concealed weapons save lives. New York Daily News. July 25, 2012. JournalSource: Web. March 20, 2014. Prellwitz, John. 9mm is faster than 9-1-1. UWM Post (Milwaukee, WI) September 19, 2011: 17.Newspaper Source Plus. Internet. March 20, 2014. Quinn. Fly. Nebraska political promoter, arming teachers. Journalist. January 20, 2011. Journal Source: Web. March 20, 2014. Schaus, Michael. America? Mother banned from daughter's school over gun license. Town Hall. November 7, 2013: Newspaper source. Internet. March 19 2014.