[Nfbf-l] Iowa now allows visually impaired citizens to carrygunslegally

[Brian Norton]

Hello Fellow NFB members,
I have often joked that I gave away my guns only after none of my 
friends would go hunting with me anymore! Actually, after I gradually 
lost my vision due to RP, I held on to both my guns and my cars too 
long after it was no longer safe for me to drive, hunt,  or 
realistically defend myself with a firearm without endangering innocent 
bystanders. Although blind persons should be allowed permits to enjoy 
competitive target practice or driving motor vehicles on the Salt Lake 
racetrack, I voluntarily surrendered my drivers and hunting licenses 
with much emotional regrets for my loss. However, I would never have 
forgiven myself if my macho/bravado had resulted in the accidental 
death or injury to myself, my family, friends,  or others after I 
should have reasonably known to quit. Maybe with advancing technology, 
I might someday be able to enjoy the independence and pleasure of 
safely driving and hunting,but for now my personal desires and freedom 
are outweighed by the safety of the community. Of course, I came to 
this difficult decision by myself, but only after being urged by my 
doctor, my family, and friends. I believe I made the right choice. 
Unfortunately, The NRA and the gun manufacturing lobby have pushed the 
image that every red-blooded American should own a firearm without 
restrictions for type of weapon or the age,ability,or competency of the 
owner. Gun ownership should not be relegated to a conservative/liberal 
political dicotomy. Too many Americans are killed or injured by both 
guns and cars, and the primary emphasis for use of either of these 
deadly weapons should be safety of the community, especially those 
innocent bystanders with neither a gun or a car.
Sincerely, Brian Norton


Original message:
> Good Morning,
> I know several people who are blind and have concealed weapons permits, 
> here in Fl.
> After having an attempted robbery gone bad, due to double key dead 
> bolts and an observant neighbor all they could do us break our the 
> glass in the door.
> I have thought of getting a gun and learning how to use it, but I know 
> if I'm not comfortable or confident with the use of it, it can and will 
> be used against me and my family.
> I am glad that in Iowa, blind people have the right to carry. It's a 
> choice that only you can make for yourself and your family.
> Holly Idler

> Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 11, 2013, at 4:45 AM, "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com> wrote:

>> I really didn't hear Mark post much of an opinion when he sent his first
>> e-mail, but you sir definitely did! A good thing about this list is that we
>> can share our opinions.

>> Sherri
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Bob Clark" <bobclark4 at gmail.com>
>> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 1:21 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Iowa now allows visually impaired citizens to
>> carrygunslegally


>> Hello Mark:

>> Well, since I don't know your position on this issue, I don't know if
>> this will get you started or not.

>> I am a totally blind gun owner and have owned a gun for the last 10
>> years.  Although I seldom carry it, I do have the right and have on
>> several occasions when certain situations dictated.

>> My primary reason for owning a gun is to protect my family as well as
>> myself in case of home invasion.  I can think of nothing worse than to
>> be held as a defenseless hostage while someone threatened my family.

>> If one is responsible and is properly trained, there is absolutely no
>> reason why a blind person should not own a gun for personal protection
>> purposes.

>> Finally based upon your signature, one can conclude that you are a
>> liberal as well as a pacifist.  That is your choice but don't impose
>> your opinions on other people.

>> Have a great day.

>>          Bob Clark


>> On 9/10/13, Mark Tardif <markspark at roadrunner.com> wrote:
>>> Do not, and I do mean do not, get me started on this one.  I will bridle
>>> my

>>> tongue so I don't start a controversy, but it's darn hard.



>>> Mark Tardif
>>> Nuclear arms will not hold you.
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Alan Dicey
>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 10:54 AM
>>> To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
>>> Subject: [Nfbf-l] Iowa now allows visually impaired citizens to carry
>>> gunslegally

>>>    Iowa now allows visually impaired citizens to carry guns legally
>>> By Robert Kingett, disability reporter.

>>> Robert Kingett is a blind journalist in Chicago who covers anything and
>>> everything disability, including sports, human-interest stories, and
>>> advocacy reports. He was ranked as top disability journalist by the
>>> staffin

>>> august. To have Robert cover your disability event or story, please visit
>>> his website. www.robertkingett.com

>>> Sep 8, 2013 - 6 hours ago in Politics
>>> Iowa - Recently a state law was passed that would allow blind and visually
>>> impaired people in Iowa to carry firearms. Residents and advocacy agents
>>> have varying opinions on the issue.
>>> No one questions the legality of the permits. State law does not allow
>>> sheriffs to deny an Iowan the right to carry a weapon based on physical
>>> ability.
>>> The quandary centers squarely on public safety. Advocates for the disabled
>>> and Iowa law enforcement officers disagree over whether it's a good idea
>>> for

>>> visually disabled Iowans to have weapons.
>>> On one side: People such as Cedar County Sheriff Warren Wethington, who
>>> demonstrated for this report how blind people can be taught to shoot guns.
>>> And Jane Hudson, executive director of Disability Rights Iowa, who says
>>> blocking visually impaired people from the right to obtain weapon permits
>>> would violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.  That federal law
>>> generally prohibits different treatment based on disabilities.
>>> On the other side: People such as Dubuque County Sheriff Don Vrotsos, who
>>> said he wouldn't issue a permit to someone who is blind. And Patrick
>>> Clancy,

>>> superintendent of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, who says guns
>>> may be a rare exception to his philosophy that blind people can
>>> participate

>>> fully in life.
>>> Private gun ownership - even hunting - by visually impaired Iowans is
>>> nothing new. But the practice of visually impaired residents legally
>>> carrying firearms in public became widely possible thanks to gun permit
>>> changes that took effect in Iowa in 2011.
>>> "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.
>>> Polk County officials say they've issued weapons permits to at least three
>>> people who can't legally drive and were unable to read the application
>>> forms

>>> or had difficulty doing so because of visual impairments.
>>> And sheriffs in three other counties - Jasper, Kossuth and Delaware - say
>>> they have granted permits to residents who they believe have severe visual
>>> impairments.
>>> "I'm not an expert in vision," Delaware Sheriff John LeClere said. "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.

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>> --
>> YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT PERSONAL ASSET!!!
>> TAKE THE CHALLENGE AT:
>> http://bob-clark.com
>> Telephone: 800-345-9760

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