Blind man who was approved for firearm license in disbelief as he explains how 'smooth' the process went

[Emile]

Terry Sutherland wanted to make a point about Indiana's apparent lax gun laws

A blind man said he sought out a firearms license to 'prove a point'.

Indiana resident Terry Sutherland is visually impaired, and uses a seeing-eye cane to help him live as independently as he can.

Sutherland was using his cane when he entered his local city council building to apply for his firearms license.

He needed to get his fingerprint taken to apply for the license, and reportedly chatted to a handful of staff members there who knew that he was blind.

Despite his disability, Sutherland's license application was approved – something that came as a shock to him.

Read more at: https://www.unilad.com/news/us-news/blind-man-firearm-license-indiana-033521-20250207

[doc03]

1. He should move to Ohio anyone can carry a gun, no license required. Why should anyone need to

see to carry a gun or drive a car.

[madville]

2. So the argument is that they should

Discriminate against him due to his disability?

A firearms license doesn’t allow someone to use a firearm, it allows someone to possess a firearm in locations that require a permit.

There are also no federal or state restrictions that I’m aware of that don’t allow blind people to purchase or possess a firearm, it’s not a question on the federal form.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. So, He Should Drive?

They should give a legally blind person a driver's license to not discriminate?
That's absurd.

[Emile]

4. +1

[malaise]

5. Why not?

Rec

[ProfessorGAC]

12. I Think I Addressed That...

...by using the word "absurd".

[malaise]

13. I should have included the sarcasm

Thingy 😀

[madville]

6. Driving is not a constitutional right

Also there are classes in shooting competitions for legally blind people, they shoot by sound or with aid of a spotter. A permit may be required in their state for the transport or possession of the firearms they use in competition.

Many states also have exemptions or special permits for blind people to legally hunt with firearms.

[GusBob]

9. Yep blind kid I know well

Is a competitive archer. They use sound and a lighted arrow

[GusBob]

7. Better question in this case

Should he be allowed to buy an own a car?

[Mountainguy]

17. Which amendment guarantees

the right to keep and drive cars?

[Shermann]

11. I'm afraid there is some really lame gotcha journalism going on here. nt

[madville]

14. Trying to prove some political point

To me it sounds like a denial could possibly open up some ADA-type issues and a potential discrimination lawsuit, especially since there are demonstrable common uses of firearms by blind people (competition and hunting) that are completely outside the realm of self defense.

The big misconception many have is that a firearms license or permit is a license for self defense, it’s not, it doesn’t grant any special self defense rights or the ability to use a firearm, it simply allows possession of a firearm by specific methods and in specific places otherwise not allowed.

[Shermann]

15. Agreed, it could even legitimately be purchased as a gift.

Getting a CWP would be far more difficult as a firearms proficiency test is typically required.

[madville]

16. Tests and requirements vary by state of course

In my state you don’t have to take a CWL class if you were in the military and have a honorable discharge DD214. A blind person could have become legally blind after leaving the service or as a result of their service. So they would meet the proficiency requirement with no class.

You also don’t need the CWL class if you have been through a one day hunter education course that had a firearms component. I did one years ago and we just showed we could load and unload a .22 rifle, locate and operate the safety and fired about 3 shots each with it, accuracy didn’t matter.

Many states don’t require a permit or license at all now to open or conceal carry, as long as a blind person can otherwise legally own the firearm they are allowed to exercise that right.

[muriel_volestrangler]

18. So your argument is that it's fine for him to obtain a gun and get someone else to use it?

I mean, that's someone who would seem unable to get their own license - which is, this shows, and awfully low bar. Or maybe it's a criminal trying to attack him. Your objection horrifies me.

[madville]

19. Has nothing to do with obtaining one

In all states that I’m aware of it is legal for a legally blind person to purchase and own a firearm, no restriction exists that anyone has been able to point to, blue or red state, doesn’t matter.

This was about a carry license that allows either concealed or open possession in areas and situations that would require a license/permit.

There is no restriction in the constitution or federal law about a person’s physical disability regarding owning/possessing/transporting/carrying a firearm , in this case their eyesight.

Your position is that a legally blind person should have none of these rights due to their disability?

[muriel_volestrangler]

20. For basic public safety, yes

People should not be loaning out guns to others. People whose eyesight requires a cane should not be using one.

All 50 states are fucked up, it seems.

[J_William_Ryan]

8. "A firearms license doesn't allow someone to use a firearm..."

Correct.

In fact, had the state denied Sutherland a license because he is blind, it would be a violation of the 14th Amendment right to due process and equal protection of the law.

The problem is that Indiana doesn’t have a provision in the law requiring an applicant to demonstrate some firearm proficiency demonstrated on a shooting range.

With such a provision in place, it would have been lawful to deny Sutherland’s application.

[madville]

10. Proficiency is somewhat vague

A blind person can demonstrate proficiency in the safe handling and operation of firearms. Some are even very accurate in competition and hunting with various targeting aids.

There are many different ways a state can determine proficiency. My state waived my concealed weapons class simply because I have a DD214 from the military. I also could have used my hunter education class.