Posted on 12/11/2006 11:28:47 AM PST by Snickering Hound
AUSTIN — A state lawmaker wants to make sure no Texan is left out when it comes to hunting, even if the hunter is legally blind.
Rep. Edmund Kuempel, a Seguin Republican, has filed a bill for the 2007 legislative session that would allow legally blind hunters to use a laser sight, or lighted pointing instrument. The devices are forbidden for sighted hunters.
Blind hunters would also have to have a sighted hunter along with them, but they could hunt any game that sighted people can hunt in the same seasons and using the same weapons.
"This opens up the fun of hunting to additional people, and I think that's great," Kuempel said.
Visually impaired people are able to shoot with the aid of a sighted person, he said.
"I've seen this on TV before, when they're taking target practice," Kuempel said. "When they aim the gun the guide tells them, aim two inches higher or two inches lower and you're on the target, and you're off and running."
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which regulates hunting in Texas, currently does not have a definition of what constitutes a legally blind hunter. Kuempel's bill would give the agency until Jan. 1, 2008, to come up with a definition so that the law could be enforced.
The hunter would have to carry proof that he or she is legally blind.
Kuempel's bill would amend the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code.
Under existing law, the use of laser sights, spotlights and headlights is strictly prohibited in all Texas hunting.
The Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 9 for its 140-day session. Lawmakers have been busy since November filing proposed legislation on an array of subjects. The Legislature meets every two years in regular session.
Well, I'm glad to see the State of Texas has solved all of its problems, and can now get on to important issue like allowing blind people to hunt!
I think the next thing should be getting them the right to drive.
What's more... the "sighted guy" can be Dick Cheney!
It might actually make the woods safer because two hunters would have to agree upon a target and confirm...rather than a reflexive decision to align the front sight and squeeze the trigger! I love hunting and at the same time I'm very careful to wear LOTS of blaze orange and dayglo yellow when I go mountainbiking or trailrunning during hunting season.
~ Blue Jays ~
This is insane. It just helps gun-grabbers to paint gun rights advocates as dangerous nuts. I'm all in favor of blind people being free to carry guns for self-defense -- yes, they're more likely to miss and/or hit something they didn't mean to, but it's in the interests of protecting their own lives. But this sort of hunting would obviously be purely recreational, and having blind people doing it is only going to increase the already too high incidence of gun accidents associated with hunting. Might as well pass a law saying legally blind people are entitled to driver's licenses, just so long as they have a sighted person in the passenger seat when they're driving.
LoL!
The bill was killed in committee as it was thought to give the fishermen an unfair "advantage".
Actually, that's not unreasonable. Burglars are more likely to break into a business building that is unlit at night, on the theory that it's almost certainly unoccupied. And even if they have reason to believe it's occupied, the cover of darkness improves the prospects for successfully robbing the occupant. This is certainly no more irrational than people putting their home lights on timers when they're out of town.
"But this sort of hunting would obviously be purely recreational, and having blind people doing it is only going to increase the already too high incidence of gun accidents associated with hunting."
Hunting accidents that you claim are " already too high" are in reality next to none when compared to other outdoor sports.
You are much more likely to be injured or killed while playing football, baseball, golf, or tennis.
Michigan has had the same "Blind hunting" law for several years and its never been a problem of any kind. Zero accidents and very few would even wish to try it.
Its a non issue!
Or how about quadraplegic boxing? Or midgets in the NBA? Olympic Sumo High Diving competitions?
(Running to hide in the brunette bunker).
2nd Amendment going crazy!!!! Come on now. This must be the craziest thing I have heard and yes I am pro-2nd amendment, but this just does not seem right.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing ping list
with interests in health and society
Do they hunt at night, then?
It actually works pretty well up here. You just need to bring along an aiming buddy.
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