Maryland concealed weapons permits

Thesis Statement

Maryland should become a “Shall Issue” state in regards to concealed weapons permits; rather than being May-Issue State.

Introduction

Carrying a concealed weapon (concealed carry) in the U.S is now the legally recognized right to a citizen to bring a weapon and wearable or nearby self discreetly. The weapons are allowed depends on the laws of each State: some restrict this right to single gun, while others allow the wearing of multiple weapons, firearms or knives. Although the trend of public opinion is moving toward more control, no State in which the procedure for awarding the license to carry a weapon is based on the simple respect of a registration procedure has overhauled its laws effective. In 2009, 48 states have a law allowing the carrying of a concealed weapon (although, in practice, this regulation is rather to prevent it) and 44 also have a law covering the port weapon in public (open carry). The states of Wisconsin, the Illinois and the District of Columbia have no specific law about it; Wisconsin authorizes the carrying of weapons in public, while Illinois restricts the opportunity for rural areas, subject local restrictions. The District of Columbia had implemented a complete prohibition of gun ownership from 1976, but it was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court in June 26, 2008. Some believe that the framers intended the militia to be the only armed force to protect the government or citizens from insurrection or foreign invaders, while others believe that the amendment clearly indicates that citizens also have the right to protect themselves from harm by bearing arms (John, 34).

The courts have weighed in on this issue and have produced a variety or opinions that have fueled even greater debate. The latest challenge came in June 2008 in the matter of District of Columbia v. Heller (128 s. ct. 2783, 20o8). In this case, the Supreme Court of the U.S. upheld a lower court ruling that the District of Columbia violated the Second Amendment by prohibiting the possession or handguns in the homes of citizens. The Court reasoned that handguns are weapons that citizens have historically possessed and have overwhelmingly done so for the legitimate purposes of self-defense, therefore, possession is allowed under the Constitution. The Court also held that the Second Amendment allows states to pass specific laws regulating the possession and use of firearms, such as concealed weapons laws and registration requirements.

Regardless of the legal battles and seemingly endless debates, this amendment provides the basis for widespread arms possession in the United States. During 1998 for example, people in the United States possessed some 250 million firearms. A 2004 household phone survey was conducted of 277o US adults over the age of 18. The results indicated that 38% of households and 26% of individuals owned a minimum of one firearm, This would equate to some 42 million homes in the US that have a firearm and 57 million people who are gun owners (Donohue, 623). Since the mid ...