The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: MikeO on August 14, 2010, 11:44:51 AM

Title: Guns for the blind?
Post by: MikeO on August 14, 2010, 11:44:51 AM
Just wondering if prohibiting the "visually impaired" from owning firearms would pass constitutional muster?

IIRC, Chicago is now requiring a vision test for a gun license?

Seems to me I remember a state (one of the Dakotas) issuing a blind man a concealed carry license; nothing in the "shall issue" regs that prevented his licensing.
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: MikeBjerum on August 14, 2010, 02:01:56 PM
Seeing as how I am supposed to be working today and only drifting in and out ... and posting way too much, I don't have the time to research.  However, I recall reading in more than one source recently that visual impairment is not a valid reason to disallow owning of a firearm.  There was also something about carry permit, and I don't remember all the details except that some legally blind could carry.

If I come across something before someone else I will post links.

Good topic and welcome to the party Mike!
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: twyacht on August 14, 2010, 03:38:39 PM
Chicago? Well, that about sums it up.. Any and all barricades they can put up, they will. There was a recent post of a shooter with no arms firing a M+P pistol at the range.

Blind as in total? Or blind as in shapes or shadows, color, or depth?

I would have to research more on that.

Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: tombogan03884 on August 14, 2010, 03:42:59 PM
I took drivers Ed with a guy who was legally blind, He got his license.
Another thought, in order to attack a BG must get within arms reach, you don't need eyes to jam the gun against him and shoot till it clicks.
Wouldn't want to go skeet shooting with him though.
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: Big Frank on August 14, 2010, 04:10:03 PM
You can't deny someone a constitutional right because of a disability. Can you?
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: sledgemeister on August 14, 2010, 04:55:16 PM
I took drivers Ed with a guy who was legally blind, He got his license.
Another thought, in order to attack a BG must get within arms reach, you don't need eyes to jam the gun against him and shoot till it clicks.
Wouldn't want to go skeet shooting with him though.

Was cheney blind?  ;D

A guy down my aways was dead blind, the whole dog and cane show. The old bugger used to reload for people, and was a gun dealer. He used to be able t pull a pistol apart and put ti back together no probs, pick one up tell you what it was etc.
Of course submitting his paperwork in braille to the Firearms Registry used to drive them NUTZOID roflmao.
Oh and he used to target shoot as well NFI how, I assume people pointed him in the right direction first.
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: fightingquaker13 on August 14, 2010, 08:03:33 PM
The blind can hunt, free in most states. As far as a CCW? I guess I'd view it like a driver's licence. If you can somehow pass the written and practical? Who am I to say you nay?
FQ13
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: MikeBjerum on August 14, 2010, 09:28:43 PM
Was cheney blind?  ;D

A guy down my aways was dead blind, the whole dog and cane show. The old bugger used to reload for people, and was a gun dealer. He used to be able t pull a pistol apart and put ti back together no probs, pick one up tell you what it was etc.
Of course submitting his paperwork in braille to the Firearms Registry used to drive them NUTZOID roflmao.
Oh and he used to target shoot as well NFI how, I assume people pointed him in the right direction first.

It was a lawyer he shot ... I've got no problem with that  ;)
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: fightingquaker13 on August 14, 2010, 09:46:26 PM
It was a lawyer he shot ... I've got no problem with that  ;)
A Republican lawyer to boot. Sorry, couldn't resist. ;D
FQ13
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: Dakotaranger on August 14, 2010, 10:06:22 PM
You can't deny someone a constitutional right because of a disability. Can you?
American's with Disabilities Act seams to prevent that
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: sledgemeister on August 15, 2010, 07:31:12 AM
It was a lawyer he shot ... I've got no problem with that  ;)

I do, he only used one barrel not two!  :P
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: Solus on August 15, 2010, 08:00:32 AM
A Republican lawyer to boot. Sorry, couldn't resist. ;D
FQ13

I'm sure it was his second choice, but he worked with what he had available.

Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: MikeO on August 15, 2010, 01:09:38 PM
To be licensed to carry a concealed handgun in this state you have to pass a Q shoot. Does that discriminate against the visually impaired?

Something for the courts to settle eventually, along w all the other issues (licensing, registration, tests, rationing, storage, etc)?

Eventually the Supreme Court, since settling it in your area may not settle it in mine, and prior to Heller and McDonald, the RTKBA wasn't really a constitutionally protected fundamental right for everybody everywhere; now it is.
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: TAB on August 15, 2010, 03:46:29 PM
I took drivers Ed with a guy who was legally blind, He got his license.
Another thought, in order to attack a BG must get within arms reach, you don't need eyes to jam the gun against him and shoot till it clicks.
Wouldn't want to go skeet shooting with him though.


legally blind is not really blind.


I don't have a prob with the blind being treated the same as every one else, we also need to hold them to the same standard as every one else.


Oh yeah, those eye seeing dogs can be mean... I saw a blind women in college brifly,  the dog biting me, when he though I was hurting her  ;)   ended things.
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: MikeO on August 15, 2010, 08:51:45 PM
I don't have to pass a literacy or civics test to vote, why should I have to pass a safety or vision test to keep and bear arms?
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: fightingquaker13 on August 15, 2010, 10:15:39 PM
To be licensed to carry a concealed handgun in this state you have to pass a Q shoot. Does that discriminate against the visually impaired?

The standard under the ADA is "reasonable accomodation'. I would take that to mean you couldn't have just an arbitrary number on a vision test to DQ you, but you could insist on the same score on the pratical.
FQ13
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: tombogan03884 on August 15, 2010, 11:35:38 PM
I don't have to pass a literacy or civics test to vote, why should I have to pass a safety or vision test to keep and bear arms?

You don't have to pass literacy or Civics tests to be President,
BUT, screwing up your vote isn't going to wake the neighborhood at 2AM 
Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: Solus on August 16, 2010, 08:09:23 AM
You don't have to pass literacy or Civics tests to be President,
BUT, screwing up your vote isn't going to wake the neighborhood at 2AM 

But it might keep them up past 2AM worrying about the Holy Mess your stupid vote created.

Title: Re: Guns for the blind?
Post by: SureShot on September 29, 2010, 11:09:51 AM
I don’t have my concealed permit yet, thinking my poor site would be an issue, I’m blind in my right eye. But after reading your comments I fill better about applying for my permit. Thanks guys, I knew I would find my answers here if I looked.

Thanks again guys, stay safe
Paul
Proud NRA and TSRA member