Concealed carry in Missouri costs about $150-$200 for the mandatory class. The permit itself is $25. And is good for 5 years.
As a 17 year old marine private I guarded bases with M16s so I'm not sure how a pistol would be more risky. I would suggest they simply allow service people to carry if they comply with local laws on their own time and purchase their own weapons. All costs solved.
People use self defense effectively all day every day, they just don't compile stats. CC people are the safest gun group according to my swat instructor, safer than cops, security, hunters, every armed group. They are also more likely to hit their target than everyone but cops.
Criminals, on the other hand, rarely have training and are horrible shots. I believe they hit their targets 12% of the time?
Personally, I would ban all handguns and make a crime with a handgun 10 years mandatory with no pleas allowed. I carry because it's so easy for criminals to get a gun and I'm on their turf a lot. I would be fine with less than leathal.
The part we can't avoid is 3D printers will soon be very common and people will print their own guns.
