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Tag: gun safety

  • Gun Permits given to Blind in Iowa

    Gun Permits given to Blind in Iowa

    Blind Iowa residents are not able to get a driver’s license, but can they carry a gun? Sure. Des Moines Register reports Iowa is allowing people who are legally blind permits that will allow them to carry firearms in public, as well as purchase guns.

    Seems strange, but the permits are legal, as Iowa law does not deny anyone the right to carry a weapon based on physical disability due to changes in gun permit laws 2011. Law enforcement officials are concerned for trying to maintain public safety.

    Sheriffs in Jasper, Kossuth and Delaware counties said they’ve granted permits to residents with severe visual impairments. Sheriffs in Polk County said they have issued weapon permits at least three times to people who cannot drive legally. Though, there’s no way to know exactly how many people have obtained permits who have visual impairments, because no one collects that information.

    “It seems a little strange, but the way the law reads, we can’t deny them [a permit] just based on that one thing,” said Sgt. Jana Abens, a spokeswoman for the Polk County sheriff’s office, referring to a visual disability.

    Delaware County Sheriff John LeClere questions the ability to safely handle a firearm visually impaired. “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,” LeClere said.

    Even advocates for the disabled are in a dilemma over the decision. But some argue that blocking anyone who is impaired from obtaining a weapons permit would violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.

    The previous law did allow for the visually impaired to own guns or hunt, but not carry them in public.

    Other states do prohibit based on visual abilities. Nebraska and South Carolina applicants must show “proof of vision” via drivers license or a doctor’s note. Minnesota and Missouri applicants must complete a firing test and require them to hit a target.

    Illinois doesn’t require a visual test, but does require applicants to complete firearm training and range instruction.

    The new law in Illinois went into effect in July, but the permits have not been issued yet.

    Main Article Image: Cedar County Sheriff shooting with his daughter, who is legally blind.
    Image Courtesy Des Moines Register

  • Felon Shoots Himself in the Penis, Charged with Firearm Possession

    The next time you take an old firearm out of the closet in hopes of reselling it for some extra cash, you might want to make sure it works before leaving the house. Furthermore, when you’re fiddling with the pistol to see if everything’s a-okay, make sure that the gun isn’t loaded beforehand. And should you discover the piece comes packaged with ammunition, then, for the love of God, don’t aim it at your penis. Chances are you might need that later.

    36 year-old felon Tavares Donnell Colbert decided it was time to part with his weaponry, a good idea considering those convicted of federal crimes aren’t allowed to possess firearms. So, in theory, Colbert was doing the right thing by selling the item. Unfortunately, things went awry when he attempted to inspect the weapon before selling it for a tight wad of cash. While pulling the slide back on the piece he was preparing to sell, his finger accidentally hit the trigger, sending a bullet straight into the happy spot nestled between his legs.

    In a panic, Colbert drove himself to the hospital for treatment. Although the state of his organ is currently unknown, reports indicate the felon was arrested for possessing a firearm, which only adds salt to the proverbial wound. Considering he was on his way to properly dispose of the weapon — that’s what he claims, anyway — Colbert’s pride and dignity, as well as his reproductive system, must be feeling a little wounded right now. Then again, perhaps this is just poetic justice. After all, you don’t become a felon by being the nicest person on the planet.

    Colbert was booked at the Oklahoma County jail, where I’m sure he’s the butt of several unflattering, off-color jokes. Let this be a lesson to those of you who are looking to part with your collection of firearms: Don’t test the weaponry with the barrel aimed directly at your dangly bits. There’s a very good chance the gun could go off, resulting in a brand new opening you could have easily lived without. No man benefits from extra pee holes.

    What’s bizarre about the whole “shooting yourself in the crotch” scenario is that this isn’t the first time someone has accomplished such a remarkable feat purely by accident. In 2011, a man in Phoenix, Arizona attempted to look cool by tucking his girlfriend’s pink pistol into the waistband of his jeans. When the gun went off, his penis took a permanent vacation.

    Even little kids understand that taking a shot to the groin isn’t a good time. For example, when someone kicks you in the penis, you’re going to get injured. Injured bad.