From Jeffery Snyder, author of "A Nation of Cowards", this was written approx 1997 (did a Yahoo search on "self defense concealed carry")
Executive Summary
"Ten years ago this month, a controversial "concealed- carry" law went into effect in the state of Florida. In a sharp break from the conventional wisdom of the time, that law allowed adult citizens to carry concealed firearms in public. Many people feared the law would quickly lead to disaster: blood would literally be running in the streets. Now, 10 years later, it is safe to say that those dire predictions were completely unfounded. Indeed, the debate today over concealed-carry laws centers on the extent to which such laws can actually reduce the crime rate.
To the shock and dismay of gun control proponents, concealed-carry reform has proven to be wildly popular among state lawmakers. Since Florida launched its experiment with concealed-carry in October 1987, 23 states have enacted similar laws, with positive results.
Prior to 1987, almost every state in America either prohibited the carrying of concealed handguns or permitted concealed-carry under a licensing system that granted government officials broad discretionary power over the decision to grant a permit. The key feature of the new concealed-carry laws is that the government must grant the permit as soon as any citizen can satisfy objective licensing criteria.
Concealed-carry reform reaffirms the basic idea that citizens have the right to defend themselves against criminal attack. And since criminals can strike almost anywhere at any time, the last thing government ought to be doing is stripping citizens of the most effective means of defending themselves. Carrying a handgun in public may not be for everyone, but it is a right that government ought to respect."
Kinda sums it all up for me.
I'd also look up a lot of Jim March's writings and revelations concerning CCW for the elite and special friends of various Sheriff's and/or the denial by same Sheriff's for us "common folk".
How many criminal types would go through, let alone pass, the required background check, fingerprinting, class training, pay fees, etc?
I'd personally also try to limit any of Lott's info due to the small controversy surrounding him at this present time... but that's just me. YMMV
The real challenge is the proscribed "benefits to society" requirement whereby you may need to point to anecdotal and/or real life scenarios which are more of a play by play, individual thing as opposed to a "society" at large or populace as a whole. Hard to quantify that one.
And, playing devil's advocate here, you could always state that since the police now have a list of registered gun owners, you will always be able to "Round them up first" should a NAZI/Commie "POLICE STATE" gov't become the order of the day... that ought to make some people in your class think for a moment or two...just in case it is up to you guys to become the ones to "Pry from my cold dead fingers" (I think the saying goes)... history could provide you with glaring examples of that despicable gov't behavior in the last century.
Conversely, you could point out that in times of REAL Need, the police force has a list of reputable citizens to draft into an "Un-organized Militia" or Auxiliary Force to assist the Department to boost manpower.
It'd be interesting to read what you eventually offer to your class members and hear their comments.
Adios