Panelists answered the following: Should states grant permits to acquire or carry guns in public for people who are legally or completely blind?
Ruth Erickson: “If a person can’t see who they might be shooting, how can they know who they may have shot?”
Marty Richman: “Those who are legally blind should not be issued a firearm carry permit unless their vision is correctable to a specified degree, but for home ownership of a firearm each case should be evaluated individually. The term ‘legally blind’ is too broad a term to give a blanket answer – home and personal defense involve close contact and experience and judgment count. Special restrictions – such as a demonstration of competence with the firearm – may be appropriate.”
Richard Place: “They already do. They call them senators and congresspersons.”
Richard Herrera: “No. It’s a matter of public safety.”
Mary Zanger: “No. The image of tapping canes, guide dogs and guns do not mix. That image drives me to say that public safety is the issue. Gun licenses/permits should be issued by the state with the same standards as drivers’ licenses. Prerequisites for the license should be a written test, an operational test and a vision test. Guns in the hands of the visually impaired create a most dangerous weapon.”
Nants Foley: “Yes. But my question is why would they want one?”
