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One state giving gun permits to the blind

At least one sheriff has concerns with the law saying “if you see nothing but a blurry mass in front of you, then I would say you probably shouldn’t be shooting something."

A new group of laws took effect in Iowa in 2011 allowing people who are declared legally blind to carry a weapon in public.

Some states require a person applying for a permit to show proof of vision or to pass a test by shooting at targets.

But groups supporting the rights of those with disabilities say preventing blind people from being able to carry weapons would violate the Americans With Disabilities Act.

In 2007 Texas passed a law that helps legally blind people to be able to hunt.

Cedar County Iowa Sheriff Warren Wethington has a daughter who is blind. He told the Des Moines Register "if sheriffs spent more time trying to keep guns out of criminals' hands and not people with disabilities, their time would be more productive."

Patrick Clancy is the superintendent of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School. Clancy believes there is a way to teach even those classified as legally blind to saf4ely use a gun.

He did however, stop short of saying it was a good idea.

"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."

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