I’m sick of all these mealy-mouthed conservatives trying to justify Iowa’s “decision” to issue blind residents a concealed carry permit. Apparently it’s OK because “they’re not all completely blind.” Hello? Whether partially sighted or bat blind, visually-impaired people have a natural, civil and Constitutional right to keep and bear arms. As for the practicality of a blind person using a firearm for self-defense, New York cops hit what they’re aiming at less than 30 percent of the time. I repeat: a blind person is less likely to take out an innocent bystander than a police officer. Especially as blind concealed carry permit holders know the limitations created by their disability. Besides, they have the right. 

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49 COMMENTS

  1. Legally blind people can use firearms – back before I had lasik done, my left eye was 20/400 and my right eye was 20/200….I was legally blind. Sure, my vision was corrected to 20/20 and my glasses were thick enough to where you could have probably used them in the Hubble telescope to view distant galaxies, but that’s not really the point.

    So yep, “blind” people can own and operate firearms. I watched Piers Morgan rant against Emily Miller about that like a 3 year old the other day. I laughed.

    • Emily Miller fell for the trap even worse. We have some of the least articulate and self interested people putting themselves forward as our advocates and that is a real problem. All she was interested in was pitching her book.

      Fact is this came up as a news issue, and the Second Amendment advocates getting face time and debating this need to at least know that the anti Second Amendment whacko are going to run with it. At least have some talking points prepared to respond!

      It is a guaranteed freedom

  3. Prior restraint is a morally reprehensible position for the government or any authority to take. Punish an individual when their decisions harm another, not before.

  5. You know, I saw this and frankly I was surprised the CNN crossfire hosts did such a good job corralling Piers with actual logic and facts. I was kinda shocked this was not 3 people patting each other on the back. Hell must be very cold right now.

    Oh, and there are some videos on the intertubes of blind paraolympics shooting. Some of them are pretty good. Even in the UK http://www.disabledshooting.org.uk/getting-started/introduction-to-shooting-disciplines/introduction-to-blindvi-shooting.html

  7. At first when I heard of blind people and guns I thought well that’s just as dumb as brail on the drive through ATM.

    But then I thought for a bit. How venerable is a blind person? How can a blind woman defend herself from a rapist? Can the blind run away from a situation very well? The right to be able to defend yourself is universal and should be defended for our population that is most at risk. Do you really need to be able to see your target if he is ripping off your dress in an attempt to rape you? He is right on top of you. In a close in fight where most fights happen, most legally blind people can still see that far. Besides you are supposed to be focusing on the front sight post anyways. And in most self-defense shootings, when untrained/semi trained shooters were asked the shooter closed their eyes anyways.

    It makes for a funny quip from a liberal gun-grabbing comedian… but..Yes, Blind People should be able to carry. They are people. What next, no to wheelchairs? Are we going to give an IQ test and if you are to dumb for a gun you are denied.

    • You can teach anyone to draw from the holster, go to retention position, and point shoot. All you need is awareness of your limbs in relation to your torso — which you can do by feel. You orient your magazine against your ribs and consciously register where your thumb is in reference to your pectoral muscle and your index finger is pointing along the axis of the muzzle. Point shooting at it’s simplest. Anyone can do it, even the blind.

      If you can point your finger at someone and say “bang”, you can train to point shoot from retention with minimal training and effort — it’s the same motion. And it’s something you can do in the dark or blindfolded.

      Especially at self-defense distances of less than 15 ft, when firing from retention you have very good chance of hitting your target, and I’m guessing most blind people would end up being accosted at point blank anyway, so what’s the issue?

      • I’ve heard of blind (as in completely blind) gun owners who would use revolvers loaded with blanks. They didn’t have to worry about hitting someone with a stray shot (since they didn’t have any way of surveying past their immediate vicinity), but if they were attacked they could just press the muzzle against their attacker and let the combination of extreme heat and a concussive blast do its thing.

        There’s a very good reason you never use blanks for point-blank shots in movies.

        • Shooting “blind” worked for George Zimmerman. He was not in a position to sight his target but walked away alive. Rarely is a perp going to stand still like a gun range paper target.

        • You’re quite right Roger. I work with blanks and at point blank range they can be lethal. A minimum distance is adhered to and firearms are not pointed directly at the actors. In 1984 actor Jon-Erik Hexum foolishly took a revolver loaded with blanks and playfully pointed it at his own head and proceeded to blow his own brains out.

  9. Piers is just a plain asshole.
    No iffs and or buttz.
    Blind or not an American has the right to defend themselves period.
    Why he cant get that simple premise through his thick skull is beyond me.

  10. Title XVI
    Chapter 702
    702.7 Dangerous weapon.
    A “dangerous weapon” is any instrument or device designed primarily for use in inflicting death or injury upon a human being or animal, and which is capable of inflicting death upon a human being when used in the manner for which it was designed, except a bow and arrow when possessed and used for hunting or any other lawful purpose. Additionally, any instrument or device of any sort whatsoever which is actually used in such a manner as to indicate that the defendant intends to inflict death or serious injury upon the other, and which, when so used, is capable of inflicting death upon a human being, is a dangerous weapon. Dangerous weapons include but are not limited to any offensive weapon, pistol, revolver, or other firearm, dagger, razor, stiletto, switchblade knife, knife having a blade exceeding five inches in length, or any portable device or weapon directing an electric current, impulse, wave, or beam that produces a high-voltage pulse designed to immobilize a person.
    [S13, §4775-1a; C24, 27, 31, §12936; C35, §12935-g1, 12936; C39, §12935.1, 12936; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §695.1, 695.2; C79, 81, §702.7] 88 Acts, ch 1164, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1151, §1

    Electric weapons in Iowa are considered “Dangerous Weapons.” That means to carry a stun gun you have to have a Concealed Firearms Permit/License.

    • This right here. I’m not going to tell them they can’t have a gun, but I don’t think that’s the reason the majority of them get permits.

      Of course, I’m completely talking out my ass, and I could be totally wrong, and they’re all buying guns. In which case, good for them.

  11. My wife is legally blind, and she has tighter groups than I do. I’m not 20/20 anymore, but as of the last check I’m 20/40, corrected to 20/20.

    • I one have one eye, and it’s about 20/40 (uncorrectable). I concealed carry and practice as often as ammo allows on my glock and AR. I shoot pretty damn well and out-shoot many a friend with normal stereo vision. I do concede the fact there are limits with my vision in the terms of defensive pistol use, so just like a normal person (not a cop), if I can’t take or make the shot, I don’t. If I can’t reliably put the bullets on target or cannot make positive ID, I don’t take the shot. Duh.

      • Bill, most people close one eye when they shoot. Makes you the same as everyone else. Hang in there, and I hope you find a lost hoard of ammo.

      • The poor saps are stuck with NY2 triggers on their Glocks which simply aggravates a situation already complicated by the stress of an encounter.

  13. It’s pretty sad that only of the only things that PM has left is bashing gun rights for the legally blind. If a blind person shoots the wrong man, he’ll still get charged with a crime. In some states, a concealed carry permit is required to pack a Taser. This whole situation is really a non-issue if level heads are involved. Piers Morgan is not known for being levelheaded.

  14. “Did I miss the caveat “unless he or she is a blind person with a gun”?” No, but you missed the caveat, if the unloaded gun is in a locked case and the bearer is wearing body armor handing out leaflets on a public street not threatening anyone.

    • Exactly. Guns are a tool you can use to punch holes in bad guys with. They are designed to give you mechanical advantage over punching holes manually, with your fingers, a stick, or a rod. Chemically stored energy in gunpowder, mechanical trigger. A blind person (or anybody) can punch a hole in a bad guy with a gun the same way they’d punch a hole in them with a rod, only more efficiently.

  17. Could you possible imagine the law suit lead by the ACLU if blind people were restricted from carry or owning firearms due to their disability?

  18. IT DOESN’T G-D DAMN MATTER!!! There are not one, nor two, but THREE constitutional amendments that protects the right of the blind guy, doesn’t matter how blind, to own guns.

    The 2nd Amendment – ‘nuf said

    The 5th Amendment – “nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law” – They can’t take your 2A right away from you without a criminal conviction.

    The 14th Amendment – “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws” – Doesn’t matter how blind somebody is, they get the same rights as everybody else until they get convicted in a court of law.

    Piers and Jones can mock America all they want. They can say its ridiculous that a blind person can have a gun. They can call us stupid for allowing a blind guy to carry a gun. That blind guy has ALL THE SAME CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AS EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE COUNTRY AND THESE FOOLS NEED TO WRAP THEIR BRAINS AROUND THAT FACT. If the blind guy is from a shall issue state, and the blind guy can pass all of the stated requirements to receive a CCW permit, the state MUST give it under the 14th Amendment. They (Morgan and Jones), or the government, CANNOT DENY ANY AMERICAN A CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED CIVIL LIBERTY JUST BECUSE THEY DISAGREE WITH IT. I’m tired of hearing from this idiot.

  19. About the Constitution having amendments.
    With one exception that was later repealed, the amendments mostly clarify and expand protections of rights for Americans. They don’t take away freedoms.

    Insert here comments about the government being sworn to defend the Constitution, hence Americans.

    Clearly, I am taking crazy pills.

  20. Wow! Van Jones and S.E. Cupp ganging up on poor Piers Morgan?!?! I would have never guessed that. Van Jones is a far left radical and Piers made him look totally reasonable.

    BTW. someone please mention to Piers that in Iowa you need a concealed carry permit to carry a taser concealed.

  21. Blind? Welcome to the gun community.
    Black? Welcome to the gun community.
    Female? Welcome to the gun community.
    Gay? Welcome to the gun community.
    Poor? Welcome to the gun community.

    In my gun community, regardless of race, color, creed, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc, you are welcome. I will not judge you on anything other than whether or not you know right from wrong and act as such. Every human being worldwide who has not proven themselves to be a threat to others has the right to defend themselves and those around them as best as possible.

  23. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. Yes, the Constitution can be amended. And if you think you’ve got the votes, knock yourself out. I don’t think you do. And that’s why you bastards keep up with this nibbling around the edges BS. Because it’s all you’ve got.

    I’d be willing to wager all my gun rights against your Constitutional amendment. How’s that for a bet? You get an amendment passed, you can have my guns. But if you can’t get it passed, you get to shut the hell up for oh… the next hundred years. How’s that? Are you willing to sack up and take that bet?

    Yeah, I didn’t think so. Keep trying to inch along, you worm.

  24. There is another huge point that no one has mentioned. Many sources and common sense tell us that criminals promptly exit when their victim produces a firearm. In fact data tells us that criminals beat feet at least 90% of the time when their victim produces a gun and merely points it at the criminal without ever firing a shot.

    This could be a huge benefit to a blind person. They could carry an unloaded gun and successfully defend themselves from at least 90% of attacks. Keep in mind that a criminal would have no idea that a firearm was unloaded. And quite often they would have no idea that person was blind. And in those relatively rare instances where the attacker knew their victim was blind, how many criminals are going to take the risk to continue to attack their victim once they see that their victim is pointing a gun toward them?

    And then we can consider the classic home invasion scenario where a home invader starts making their way into a home … only to hear the sound of the homeowner pumping a shotgun. That unmistakable sound turns away all but the most deranged criminals. And once again, the home invader probably has no idea that the homeowner is blind or that the shotgun could even be unloaded. Why take the chance?

    There are multiple scenarios where a blind person can use a firearm safely and effectively. It simply takes a little imagination and real world experience to flesh out those scenarios.

  25. NEWSFLASH: Blind does not mean blind-and-incompetent.

    Mentally incompetent folks already can’t get permits, which rules out those who are indeed both blind and incompetent.

    Competent blind people don’t start shooting in a general direction when they get spooked.

  27. @uncommon_sense
    Don’t carry a gun if your not willing to draw it. Don’t draw a gun if your not willing to shoot it. Don’t shoot a gun if your not willing to kill with it.
    I think this was a Japanese proverb about swords, but it still applies.

    • While I strongly support that notion, I do NOT support compelling other people to do the same. Encourage other people to do the same? Yes. Compel? No.

  28. Is Piers saying blind people are stupid? Are they less responsible and dumber because they are legally blind?
    Someone needs to ask him how he feels legally blind people are more prone to irresponsibility than folks who can see.

  29. TIL: just how many people think “blind” equals “have no eyes with which to see”. “Blind” is a gamut, a range, a spectrum. But, like most other facets of this debate: “Why let facts get in the way of a ridiculous, irrational rant?”.

  30. I am not surprised that Morgan seized on this. At first blush, the idea of Blind people carrying guns does sound kind of crazy. But, like most things, once you dig into it and look at some real life examples it is not so cut and dried.

    Even so, I think that in general there are more sensible options than a firearm for a blind person to use as a CCW. Stun gun. Mace.

    OTOH, as others have pointed out, They let NYC Cops carry guns and they cant hit the barn door from inside the barn (not surprising when your Glock has a 75lb trigger)…sooo why not.

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