The practice of carrying a handgun or other weapon, which is kept hidden on one's person or under one's control . Carrying a concealed weapon is a crime unless the person with the weapon is a law enforcement officer or has a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Permits are usually issued by local law enforcement under guidelines that require the applicant to show the need for such a weapon, and require that the applicant have a record free of convictions, arrests, or improper activity.