Ok, so I've ruffled a few feathers. I've even been called a "lefty" for suggesting that blind people shouldn't be operating firearms. Now, believe me, I'm a Second Amendment guy, and I see it as a crucial safeguard for our future freedom.
But,
There are exceptions. Sort of like how we keep guns from dangerous felons, even though there's no provision for that restriction allowed in the Second Amendment. We 
don't let small children operate firearms, though there's no age restriction in the Second Amendment for that either. Nor do we allow certified insane people to have guns.
So, unless you're ready to argue for gun-totin' toddlers and the right for convicted bank robbers to pack heat, I don't want to hear the "Shall Not Be Infringed" argument.
Bottom line, is that we make a judgement as a society in determining a basic set of minimum requirements for people to exercise their second amendment right. Being old enough to make a solid judgement and understanding basic safety rules is one. Displaying that you're a law-abidiing citizen is another. And you know what? Eyesight should be one of those basic requirements for using a firearm.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Blind People and Guns
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3 comments:
Judgment is the key word here. Toddlers, the certifiably insane and convicted felons do not have the proper judgment to use a firearm in an appropriate manner. Toddlers because of their age, the insane because of a mental defect and felons because they have already proven that they lack good judgment.
I would understand your argument better if you were saying that a concealed weapons permit (CWP) should not be issued to a blind person. That is because a CWP is considered a privilege, much like a driver’s license, and so it can be regulated. CWP's also tend to be more about the transportation of the gun, and not the actual ownership of it. Gun ownership is a right, not a privilege.
Even a blind person can do what is the basic form of self defense when it comes to home invasion, That is, back yourself into a corner and shoot at the entrance to the room. You don’t need to be able to see, if you can hear someone coming through the door. A blind person’s sense of hearing tends to be much acuter and provides them with the direction that the danger is approaching from.
A different scenario would be someone who is both blind and deaf, but you didn’t ask that question, now did you?
Mr. Larson. It has been brought to my attention that you believe a legally blind person should not be allowed to attain a CCWP. I am writting to inform you of how narrow minded in your thinking that statement is. First of all, being legally blind in no way means the person can not see at all. Educate yourself on the level of blindness a person needs to be considered legally blind. Second, stating that a person with ANY disability should be evaluated based soley on thier disability infuriates me to no end, and I'll tell you why.
It's hard enough for a disabeled person to be seen by society as a valueable, productive person. Letting yet one more law or government body define a persons worth on a phyisical attribute is the lowest form of insult a disabled person has to indure. I was born with no arms below my elbows and no legs below my knees. I don't use a wheelchair, I work full time, drive, and I am married. I pay taxes and I support the 2nd to the fullest. I hunt with both crossbows and my AR15. I don't ask for special treatment. All I ask is the chance. I buy my hunting license just like everybody else. I probably could push it and get the free one, but because I'm NOT in a wheelchair, I don't really qualify. I'm glad not everybody thinks at the level you do because I probably wouldn't have gotten the chance to hunt or shoot. I am a card carrying member of the NRA and proud of it. Think about this...would you deny one of our troops coming back from Iraq with an eye injury unqualified to handle a firearm? I didn't think so. Step out of the dark ages Mr. Larson. And if you would like to discuss this at length with me, please, feel free to contact me. Just so you know I'm serious, I am sending along my Myspace link. Browse at your own risk. I am for real.
http://www.myspace.com/camocladcatcrossbower
I'm siding with the first two posters to comment here. Perhaps you need to refine your position and terms.
We shouldn't deny someone their right to possess firearms based on a physical disability, anymore than we should deny them ownership of cars. Would you take away Jay Leno's car collection if he lost his sight today? Of course not! It is prudent to limit a blind person's ability to operate his personal property on public roads, but not on his own private property. If Jay wants to let Stevie Wonder or a fully sighted two year old child drive his cars on his private race track, that's his decision.
Likewise, and assuming you meant to say that you only want to limit a person's ability to carry concealed firearms or other defensive weapons while in a public setting and based on their physical capabilities, asking your state legislators to ensure that all concealed carry applicants be tested to a minimum standard is appropriate.
Please also understand that there can be quite a difference in visual acuity between being legally blind and completely sightless. If they can pass the test approved by the state legislature, they should get their permit.
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