The requirement to obtain permits in order to conceal a personal handgun may soon come to an end in 12 states where lawmakers are currently debating the permit requirement.

Supporters of the measure argue that crime rates are already low in Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming, states where a carry and conceal permit is not required. Gun-control advocates on the other hand believe the measure is part of a long-range strategy to weaken gun control laws in the United States.

In the meantime gun-control advocates worry that buyers will purchase and carry guns in public even when they have no experience shooting the weapons they buy. Opponents also worry that police officers will be at an increased risk of encountering bad situations in which concealed firearms play a part in their decision making processes.

States currently considering the no permit law include: Colorado, Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota and Virgina, according to the NRA.

The first state to jump into the mix appears to be South Dakota after lawmakers last week created a law allowing anyone 18 or older with a valid state driver’s license to carry a concealed weapon following a clean background check, that bill is still awaiting final approval from Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard.

Other states have various laws already being argued in their respective houses and senate that would allow for non-permitted gun carry.

Do you think permits should be required for conceal carry or should a cleared background check be enough for anyone 18 years or older to hide a gun on their person? Leave your comment/opinion.