Gun permits for the blind create divide in Iowa

[sly_wolf 199]

Haha. We can only have such disfunction here. How about getting driver's licenses then?

Blind people can legally obtain gun permits under 2011 Iowa law. Some sheriffs see risk, while others say gun laws should focus on criminals, not people with disabilities.

DES MOINES, Iowa— Iowa law enforcement officials are debating the wisdom of granting gun permits to blind people.

The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa law doesn't allow sheriffs to deny a permit to carry a gun in public based on physical ability.

Some sheriffs have been granting gun permits to people with visual impairments while others have been denying them. Blind people and other Iowans can obtain the permits for carrying a weapon in public because of changes to state law that took effect in 2011.

Jane Hudson with Disability Rights Iowa said keeping legally blind people from obtaining weapon permits would violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Some other states, including Nebraska, require anyone applying for a gun permit to provide proof of their visual ability by supplying a driver's license or doctor's statement.

Hudson said she thinks someone could successfully challenge Nebraska's vision restriction because federal law requires states to analyze a situation individually before denying a service.

"The fact that you can't drive a car doesn't mean you can't go to a shooting range and see a target," Hudson said.

Polk County officials said they have issued weapons permits to people who can't drive legally because of vision problems at least three times. Sheriffs in Jasper, Kossuth and Delaware counties say they've also granted permits to Iowans with severe visual impairments.

"It seems a little strange, but the way the law reads, we can't deny them (a permit) just based on that one thing," said Sgt. Jana Abens, a spokeswoman for the Polk County sheriff's office, referring to a visual disability.

It's not clear how many people with visual impairments have permits to carry weapons in Iowa because no one collects that information.

Delaware County Sheriff John LeClere questioned whether visually impaired people should be able to obtain these weapons permits.

"At what point do vision problems have a detrimental effect to fire a firearm? If you see nothing but a blurry mass in front of you, then I would say you probably shouldn't be shooting something," LeClere said.

Even Patrick Clancy, superintendent of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, said guns may be a rare exception to his philosophy.

"Although people who are blind can participate fully in nearly all life's experiences, there are some things, like the operation of a weapon, that may very well be an exception," Clancy said.

But in Cedar County, blind people would find a welcoming audience if they applied for a weapons permit. Sheriff Warren Wethington has a legally blind daughter who is 19, and she plans to apply for a permit when she's eligible at 21.

"If sheriffs spent more time trying to keep guns out of criminals' hands and not people with disabilities, their time would be more productive," Wethington said.

http://news.msn.com/us/gun-permits-for-the-blind-create-divide-in-iowa

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Has everyone lost their minds?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Has everyone lost their minds?

What? Blind folks shooting guns. What could possibly go wrong?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Marvin's here! HI MARVIN. People were looking for you.

[B_J 2,752]

Has everyone lost their minds?

What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is. - Dan Quayle

I know,doesn't really contribute to the conversation; but its such a good quote.

[sly_wolf 199]

Has everyone lost their minds?

Yes, in many cases the human mind has achieved its peak abilities and then begins to regress back to the more simple minded ape.

[Ban Hammer 13,590]

there are varying degrees of blindness, as demonstrated by the outrage in this thread.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

there are varying degrees of blindness, as demonstrated by the outrage in this thread.

Of course there are. There are some people who are legally blind but can still drive.

But, like the article said, if you can't even operate a vehicle or see targets properly, you shouldn't own a weapon. But then they go on to say that they can't deny someone based on a physical ability.

[Ban Hammer 13,590]

Of course there are. There are some people who are legally blind but can still drive.

But, like the article said, if you can't even operate a vehicle or see targets properly, you shouldn't own a weapon. But then they go on to say that they can't deny someone based on a physical ability.

but someone who can't see clearly still should be afforded the ability to defend themselves. people can still shoot with a reasonable degree of accuracy if visually impaired.

http://ingunowners.com/forums/break-room/172064-visually-impaired-shooters.html

http://www.britishblindsport.org.uk/sports/shooting/

omg in britain!

i'll even go out on a limb and say someone who's totally blind should, under certain circumstances, be allowed to own a firearm for self defense.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Has everyone lost their minds?

That there should answer your question once and for all. In the affirmative.

but someone who can't see clearly still should be afforded the ability to defend themselves. people can still shoot with a reasonable degree of accuracy if visually impaired.

http://ingunowners.c...d-shooters.html

http://www.britishbl...ports/shooting/

omg in britain!

i'll even go out on a limb and say someone who's totally blind should, under certain circumstances, be allowed to own a firearm for self defense.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

i'll even go out on a limb and say someone who's totally blind should, under certain circumstances, be allowed to own a firearm for self defense.

Yep, that sounds like a great idea.

What would those certain circumstances be?

Edited September 10, 2013 by Penny Lane

[Ban Hammer 13,590]

Yep, that sounds like a great idea.

What would those certain circumstances be?

lives alone, lives out in the country

[decocker 7,198]

lives alone, lives out in the country

smack dab middle of nyc or dead flat texas..they still can't see. i mean, really.

Edited September 10, 2013 by val erie

[sly_wolf 199]

smack dab middle of nyc or dead flat texas..they still can't see. i mean, really.

I wonder what kind of defense would be used in this type of shoot to kill trial?

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

DES MOINES, Iowa— Iowa law enforcement officials are debating the wisdom of granting gun permits to blind people.

Comedy gold in Iowa.

There is a future Law and Order episode involving a ventriloquist able to throw voices that match the blind guys ex-wife no doubt.

"Do you have anything that shoots omni-directional?"