Should Blind People Be Allowed To Own Guns?

Blind people and guns have been a hot topic in the news of late.  Many states are trying to pass laws that blind people are not allowed to own guns.  While we believe that we should have to meet the same criteria as any other person who is permitted to own, carry, and operate a gun, we do not feel that we should be discriminated against because we are blind.  The arguments against blind people owning and operating a gun do not attack our lack of sight but are rather an attack on what society feels is our lack of common sense and clear judgement.  

We of the National Federation of the Blind believe that anyone who owns or operates a gun has to be able to make a decision on when it is necessary and safe to shoot.  We as blind people are not trying to put society in greater danger, we are merely trying to have the privilege to hunt or shoot for sport or defend our selves like any other American.  Generally when a person is defending themselves with a gun, it is at close range and the person feels that they are in danger.  A blind person is certainly capable of listening to the sounds that an intruder or threatening person is making to determine where to shoot.  People, blind or sighted are generally not pulling their guns out on the street to have a brawl so it is silly to say that blind people will be a greater danger to society in crowded areas.  When we hunt, we are aware of safety considerations that need to be  made and make those considerations and modifications prudently.  

There are many accidents with guns that occur when people are being careless.  Although there has not previously been a law preventing blind people from owning and operating guns, none of the accidents that you hear about have to do with a blind person accidentally shooting someone.  Our track record with safe and responsible gun use should speak for itself.  Perhaps we should put laws in place stating that people have to have a certain IQ to own and operate a gun or maybe that they have to pass tests to show that they will be able to demonstrate their level of common sense or responsibility.  instead of advocating for the types of regulations that might stop some of the many gun accidents that occur around our nation, people are arguing for pointless regulations to discriminate against a specific cross section of society who has done nothing to demonstrate incompetence, irresponsibility, or lack of ability to make own and use a gun in a safe manner.  

Below you find a link to the National Federation of the Blind's statement about blind people owning and using guns as well as two videos regarding blind people and their use of firearms.  

https://nfb.org/national-federation-blind-comments-gun-ownership-blind-individuals

How A Blind Person Shoots A Gun Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Csw9o0c4Ig

Iowa Sherif Says Blind People Can Use Guns Safely CNN Story Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWtEF65czq0

Blind Person Wants Conceal and Carry Permit News Story Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFNce0X_8AA

Debate on Guns for the Blind Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1tUAcQJCqo