The state of Iowa is granting gun permits to people who are legally or completely blind, USA Today reports, as law officials and advocates for the disabled debate over whether it's a good or potentially dangerous idea.
Though Iowan law prohibits officers from denying citizens their rights to carry a weapon based on physical ability, many officials are concerned about the matter of public safety.
"I'm not an expert in vision," Delaware County Sheriff John LeClere said to USA Today. "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."
However, others argue that blind people can be taught to shoot guns and correctly use firearms despite their visual disabilities. Jane Hudson, executive director of Disability Rights Iowa, argues that barring those with visual impairments from carrying and using firearms violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"If sheriffs spent more time trying to keep guns out of criminals' hands and not people with disabilities, their time would be more productive," Cedar County Sheriff Warren Wethington told USA Today. Wethington has demonstrated for the Des Moines Register how blind people can be trained to safely and properly shoot guns. His legally blind daughter plans to obtain a gun permit when she turns 21, and Wethington has taken her for practice shooting lessons with a handgun on private property in rural Cedar County.
Others are torn about the issue over whether or not the legally and fully blind should be permitted to use and carry firearms, despite the potential violation of the rights of the disabled.
Patrick Clancy, superintendent of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, believes that the blind are entitled to fully participate in all of life's experiences, but maintains that "there are some things like the operation of a weapon that may very well be an exception."
Others strongly disagree, pointing out that common sense is essential in any firearm scenario, of which the blind are perfectly capable of.
"There's no reason solely on the [basis] of blindness that a blind person shouldn't be allowed to carry a weapon," Chris Danielsen, director of public relations for the National Federation of the Blind, told USA Today. "Presumably they're going to have enough sense not to use a weapon in a situation where they would endanger other people, just like we would expect other people to have that common sense."
While the state of Iowa requires firearm training for anyone seeking a permit, an online course that does not include hands-on instruction can satisfy the requirement, causing many to worry that a legally or fully blind individual may endanger themselves or others without proper training. However, this could also be true of anyone else who wishes to obtain a gun permit.
Do you think the legally and fully blind should be allowed to carry and use firearms, or do you worry it may be detrimental to public safety? Tell us your opinion in the comments below!
