Blind man sparks gun permit debate

Josey1

Blind man sparks gun permit debateApplicant, supporters say he meets criteria of Michigan's lawAssociated PressKALAMAZOO - David Gordon believes he meets all the requirements to be granted a Michigan concealed weapons permit, even if he is blind.The Portage man is over the age of 21, he has completed a gun-safety course and doesn't have a criminal record or history of mental illness.Gordon's application for a concealed weapons permit in Kalamazoo County has touched off debate over the rights of the blind to carry guns. Michigan's law does not specifically exclude people with disabilities or include any shooting accuracy requirements.Gordon said he is not an activist for gun rights, but he has been mugged twice - once at gunpoint - and knew a blind man who was beaten in the late 1980s."I've been in situations where I've experienced fear. I have the right to protect myself if I'm in danger," said Gordon, 52, who has been certified by a veteran gun instructor.County gun board members are expected to consider Gordon's application on Oct. 24."On the surface of it, I think it's highly unlikely Gordon will receive a permit," said gun board Chairman Phillip Reames, a firearms instructor.Reames said Gordon would probably fall under a section of the law denying permits to those considered a danger to themselves or others.The gun board plans to discuss the application with Gordon.Gun rights advocates say Gordon deserves to be treated like anyone else.But Joy Livingston, president of the Southwest Michigan Million Mom March/Brady Campaign, argued it's an issue of public safety overriding individual rights. http://www.lsj.com/news/local/011018_gunpermit_1b.html

turbo

Sounds like he meets all he requirements, for a Concealed Carry License. If rejected he can sue for discremenation under the Federal Disabilities Act.I nominate him for membership to the Smokers Jacket Club.

travelor

I second the nomination....Give him a class 3 permit at the same time...for a sawed off full auto shotgun...doesn't matter if he can see his assailant or not...he'll be sure to defend himself against any fool....

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keep lots of extra uppers for your ar..you can change often enough to keep the thing from over heating...what ever caliber fits the moment..~Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~

concealedG36

My first response to this thread was completely different, but I decided not to submit it. While I think that a blind man has as much of a right to defend himself as anyone else there is one problem.How can he see what's behind his intended target? I mean, I think that even if I were blind I could aim my weapon at an attacker, but that would really put anyone in the line of fire in danger. That being the case, I would think that you can't give a blind man a CCW because of the huge risk to other people.

Patrick Odle

My father was born totally blind 6-10-89and in every way was not what would be termed an average man. A very proud man raised 5 children that lived and never accepted the first cent of charity. thought F.D.R. and his dollar in every pocket and chicken in every pot was the greatest man that ever lived. Yes he was a democrat but if living today after the major shift would be a just as devout republican. he hated lying and stealing and would only condone the taking of life if there was no way to prevent it.We were very poor but were honest hard working people. One year in crockett Tn.ourfamily wintered on black walnuts and all the fish dad and the boys could catch by muddingbarpits. We fortunately for us had an unusual dry winter that year. but back to blind cc permits my father carried a S/W owl head hammerless 38 S/W caliber which I never ever saw him shoot. Now before anyone starts yelling bullcrap what I am about to relate is the honest truth, known to God, my older brother, bud and boogie foster and their father,along with myself and it matters not if you choose to believe or not. One fine summer day following the hard winter that with our meager table fare the aforementioned group was down in obion bottom along the G.M.andO. railroad. the younger boys not related were allways challenging my fathers ability to match their skills. there was a 22 singleshot rifle in the group and one of the foster boys laughingly commited that they had finally found something my father could not do, to which my father queried what. their answer was quick shoot a rifle, to which my dad said that it didn't take a genius to crook a finger around a trigger. they said yes but you can't hit anything to which he responded whats the target. The foster boys said how about daddy's bait bucket,a 10 quart pail used for crawdads minnows or whatever the fish were biting or thought to be biting. dadsaid put it down the tracks about 15 feet about 2 feet outside the left rail. the boys placed the bucket and handed dad the rifle dad slowly worked the bolt while with the other hand checking to see if the gun was loaded,upon finding it so he pushed the bolt into firing position, raised the rifle into the aprox. direction turned his head so that his ear was more in line with the barrel, and said rattle the bucket with gravel which bud did. I watched as dad moved the rifle closer to a point of aim without firing, saying rattle it again. spang dad put a hole in the bucket. repeating 2 more times without a miss, which caused the boys to move the bucket about 3 and 1/2 feet from the left rail. dad missed 3 times in a row. Inoticed that dad had positioned his right foot about 2 feet from the rail that the bucket was outside of. dad then fired 4 more times hitting the repositioned bucket 3 0f the 4 shots, at that time old man foster said no more, by the time George makes beleivers out of you young fools I want have any bait bucket left. That was one of many times I was proud of my father and not one single instant of my life would I have rather been a millonaire's son.

Rembrandt

Above posts bring out some good points. I would like to compare this to obtaining a drivers license....legally blind people are not allowed to drive for the protection and good of other motorists and pedestrians. With that said, a drivers license is a privilege, not a right....gun ownership is a right. There comes a point where common sense must come into play, we wouldn't give a loaded firearm to a small child because it's their right anymore than a blind person should be able to carry. The risks out weigh the benefit.

turbo

A lot of prople think blind people are handycapped, in a sense they are, but I tell you there other senses are a lot keener than ours (who can see ) are.I know a blind man who is totally independent, sure he gets a ride here and there to get around but, his senses are so keen and his memory so good he can remember things one forgets because we take all for granted.He wants to be afforded the same protection that every seeing person has under the constituiton, He wants to feel protected, when traveling to and fro.He can't have the long arm of the watching him all the time, and he is entitled to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness", you know he would'nt be out robbing banks with his pieece.Besides, he is a arms instructor, great credentials. You got to hand it to him.

TRIGGERSGHOST

In Washington State blind people can get a hunting license.Dead Horse Walking

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Remember everybody looks good 5 minutes before the bar closes.

stanman

They also have special hunting units open to them, where if they can see at all, they should stand a good chance of filling their tag. Some of those places are literally infested with deer! Keyport, Indian Island, places like that. Pretty good deal for handicapped hunters to be able to have that opportunity. Sometimes, government agencies screw up just right!

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My wife?.........Sure!My dog?..........Maybe!MY GUNS??........NEVER!!!