is it proper at all to use persons as the plural form of person? i hear persons very often and it just irks me!

Well Hassia,
it depends very much on whether or not you are of the belief that people is the plural of person...technically it is not - persons is the plural of person. The utilization of persons/people has changed much and persons is typically only used in the most formal of situations. The following web site will give you some insight concerning the usage of people vs persons...

people vs persons

Lydia

People can correctly be used as the plural of persons.

The Oxford Universal dictionary gives as one definition of people:

"Men or women indefinitely; persons; folk," and gives as an example Shakespeare: "I have bought golden opinions of all sorts of people."

Tormont Webster's gives as one definition "Persons with regard to some characteristic, or considered as a group: working people, young people"

So don't worry, it's fine to use it that way.