Gun control is a major topic of debate in America today, and has been since the ratification of the 2nd Amendment. It's a topic that could affect Americas that already own firearms. Using data collected from a multitude of sources, ranging from NRA databases to opposing opinions on this topic, the average citizen can form a new frame of reference on this topic. This argumentative research paper will focus more specifically on the topic of concealed carry in the United States today and the questions surrounding it: what is a concealed carry permit, the controversy surrounding such laws, how do you obtain a concealed carry permit - including classes and other course of education and who should be allowed to request one –, where they will be allowed to carry, the need for such privilege, the theory of escalation, the effectiveness of CCW/RTC laws on crime prevention and on deterrence and, finally, how we can more accurately measure the effectiveness of such laws in today's society. Before delving into the intricate and sensitive topic of concealed carry, one should first learn about its history and that of gun control in the United States as concealed carry laws are the crux of modern gun control debates. The roots of the concealed carry concept can be traced back to the Prohibition era in the 1920s and 1930s, when violent, armed new entrepreneurs seeking to monopolize the new illegal alcohol market responded to the 18th Amendment. This increase in crime merited the first national response to the then-lax firearms regulations that took shape in the National Firearms Act of 1934 which resulted in certain federal taxes and regulations on specific firearms and accessories (Kranz). The next major step was the Gun Contr...... middle of paper ......nz, Steven W. "A Survey of State Concealment and Retention Statutes: Can Small Changes Help Reduce Controversy?" . Hamline Law Review 29.3 (2006): 637-708. OmniFile Full Text Mega (H.W. Wilson). Network. April 19, 2012. Kovandzic, Tomislav V; Marvell, Thomas B; Vieraitis, Lynne November 1, 2005. “The Impact of “Shall-Issue” Concealed Weapons Laws on Violent Crime Rates: Evidence from Panel Data for Large Urban Cities.” April 20, 2012Moody, Carlisle E., and Thomas B. Marvell . “The Debate Over Enactment Laws.” Editorial.Econ Journal Watch September 2008: 269-93. Academic research completed. Network. April 18, 2012. United States. National immediate criminal background check system. , Network. April 12, 2012. United States. No guns left behind. Washington DC: Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, 2007. Print.