Content with concealed carry
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 10/20/08 Section: Opinion
Arkansas is one of six states that does not allow the open carry of guns, but one Arkansas citizen now is attempting to repeal the open-carry ban. This would translate into the ability for a citizen to have the right to carry a handgun in plain sight wherever he or she goes, rather than citizens being restricted to leaving guns in their homes or cars or carrying them in a concealed manner with the proper license.
Having the right to carry a handgun naturally falls under the right to protect yourself and your family against harm, and it is expressly articulated in the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Though it would be ideal to live in a community free of guns, they have become a necessary evil in order to guard against malevolent people who will carry guns whether or not it is legal.
Most disagreements about gun laws center around whether it is lawful to carry guns at all, but we think there's no argument there - the right to carry guns is clear. When the topic shifts to whether guns should be carried openly or concealed, however, the situation becomes cluttered.
While some might argue that allowing the open carry of guns would be a deterrent to criminals, we think doing so would only cause unneeded tension and fear. And at the very least, implementing an open-carry law could backfire by putting gun control on the minds of opponents, who might begin also to question concealed-carry laws.
The official Arkansas Petition for Open Carry of Handguns states that "self defense is a basic human right," and we couldn't agree more.
But with concealed-carry laws, trained U.S. citizens are aptly able to defend themselves. Attempting to change state law to allow the open carry of guns is simply unneeded - criminals don't need to see citizens' firearms to assume everyone has the ability to fight back.
Having the right to carry a handgun naturally falls under the right to protect yourself and your family against harm, and it is expressly articulated in the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Though it would be ideal to live in a community free of guns, they have become a necessary evil in order to guard against malevolent people who will carry guns whether or not it is legal.
Most disagreements about gun laws center around whether it is lawful to carry guns at all, but we think there's no argument there - the right to carry guns is clear. When the topic shifts to whether guns should be carried openly or concealed, however, the situation becomes cluttered.
While some might argue that allowing the open carry of guns would be a deterrent to criminals, we think doing so would only cause unneeded tension and fear. And at the very least, implementing an open-carry law could backfire by putting gun control on the minds of opponents, who might begin also to question concealed-carry laws.
The official Arkansas Petition for Open Carry of Handguns states that "self defense is a basic human right," and we couldn't agree more.
But with concealed-carry laws, trained U.S. citizens are aptly able to defend themselves. Attempting to change state law to allow the open carry of guns is simply unneeded - criminals don't need to see citizens' firearms to assume everyone has the ability to fight back.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
Ben Miner
posted 10/19/08 @ 10:38 PM CST
So... a ban on doing something should not be revoked because doing so is "unneeded"? That's not how things are supposed to work on a free society. How about showing why open-carry is a bad idea instead? The burden of proof should be on the party seeking to restrict an activity or justify a ban, not the other way around. (Continued…)
Bob Phillips
posted 10/20/08 @ 7:14 AM CST
I commend the Traveler for its stance in support of the Second Amendment and gun ownership for self-defense and the protection of one's family. As the petition for open carry states, self-defense is a basic right. (Continued…)
Luke
posted 10/20/08 @ 9:40 AM CST
For information on concealed carry permits, how to get them, where you can carry, and more check out http://www.usacarry.com.
Loyd
posted 10/20/08 @ 9:55 AM CST
At first I questioned the concealed carry notion. Why should my weapon be concealed? Why shouldn't I be able to carry openly? While I don't think that as a citizen I should even have to get a permit, I believe that to carry concealed actually protects more of my fellow citizens as it keeps the bad guys guessing. (Continued…)
Mike Stollenwerk
posted 10/20/08 @ 10:10 AM CST
This editorial starts off good, but falters by not understanding that as a legal matter, see DC v. Heller, it is open carry, and not concealed carry, that is constitutionally protected. (Continued…)
DRH
posted 10/20/08 @ 2:26 PM CST
In order to carry a concealed weapon, almost ALL states require passing a firearm safety class, generally involving a $75-$150 fee, and then an additional, sizable fee to the State issuing the CCW license itself. (Continued…)
motoboy
posted 10/20/08 @ 6:12 PM CST
I agree that it's better to carry concealed. However, our present system requires people to pay dearly with their own money and time to get a permit to exercise what should already be their right of self defense. (Continued…)
murphy
posted 10/20/08 @ 9:40 PM CST
In a degenerate society that promotes the "right to choose", offers (in some states) death with dignity and passes out condoms to middle school kids. It's amazing that the right to carry a firearm is not readily approved of. (Continued…)
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