Iowa Allows Legally Blind People to Obtain Gun Permits - by Paige Kutschall

The Americans with Disabilities Act allows for the allows for legally blind people to obtain a weapon permit. Sheriffs cannot deny a person a permit to carry a gun based on physical ability because it would violate the Disability Rights. While Iowa allows this, other states like Nebraska do not follow the same rules. They require people to prove their visual ability by showing a drivers license or doctors note when applying for a permit to carry a weapon. 

Jane Hudson is a big supporter of allowing legally blind people to obtain weapon permits. "The fact that you can't drive a car doesn't mean you can't go to a shooting range and see a target," says Hudson. And Sheriff Warren Wethington, who has a legally blind daughter applying for a gun permit when she turns 21, says "If sheriffs spent more time trying to keep guns out of criminals' hands and not people with disabilities, their time would be more productive."

Other people like Sargent Jana Abens think a little differently.  "It seems a little strange, but the way the law reads, we can't deny them (a permit) just based on that one thing," says Abens. And Delaware County Sheriff John LeClere says, "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." Patrick Clancy, superintendent of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School says, "Although people who are blind can participate fully in nearly all life's experiences, there are some things, like the operation of a weapon, that may very well be an exception."

I think anyone that cannot legally drive a car should definitely not be able to obtain a gun permit. I am all for blind people having their rights and being treated like any other American, but allowing someone who can only see shapes have the opportunity to shot a gun really scares me. If I was going to shoot something, I would want to make sure that I was shooting the right thing. Blind people just cannot do that! 

Source: 

http://www.wfaa.com/news/national/222949891.html