According to the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, we have the right to carry a concealed handgun. U.S. constitution
Criminals are less likely to attack someone if they believe they are armed. Pro/con.org
The deterrent effect of concealed carry benefits the individual carrying a handgun as well as the general public because criminals never know who is armed. Even if an adult never needs to draw a concealed handgun for self-defense, a person may feel safer being armed and feel freer to go outside at night or in dangerous areas.
Carrying a concealed handgun could aid in ending public shooting sprees.
Being allowed to carry concealed weapons would lower homicide rates, assault rates, rapes, and robberies. 1997 study of National Crime Victimization Survey
A majority of adults who legally carry concealed handguns are law-abiding citizens who do not misuse their firearms. William E. Sturdevant, PE, "An Analysis of the Arrest Rate of Texas Concealed Handgun License Holders As Compared to the Arrest Rate of The Entire Texas Population
The government cannot guarantee the safety of its citizens. Protecting oneself and family is a personal duty and the government should not impede the ability of responsible adults to defend themselves. Criminals carry concealed weapons regardless of their legality. Responsible citizens should have the same advantages when it comes to protecting themselves from armed attackers. Gary Kleck and Marc Gertz, "Armed Resistance to Crime: The Prevalence and Nature of Self-Defense with a Gun," Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, Autumn 1995
CONs;
The Second Amendment of the US Constitution allows citizens to bear arms for a well-regulated militia, not for concealed personal carry. The Second Amendment statement "a well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed" does not mention concealed handguns.
Concealed handguns are not an effective form of self-defense. Attackers often surprise victims, making it difficult to use a concealed handgun. 2009 peer-reviewed study published in the American Journal of Public Health by Charles Branas, PhD
Carrying a concealed handgun increases the chances of a confrontation escalating and turning lethal. The chances of a handgun being used inappropriately increase when normally responsible adults are intoxicated, tired, afraid, or untrained in conflict resolution. David Hemenway, PhD, Deborah Azrael, PhD, and Mathew Miller, MD, "Gun Use in the United States: Results from Two National Surveys," Injury Prevention, Dec. 2000
Concealed carry increases the likelihood of unintended shootings taking place, increased suicide rates and responsible adults can still be a threat to public safety if they are armed. 2001 peer-reviewed study appearing in Accident Analysis and Prevention by Matthew Miller, PhD