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Bill would allow legally blind Texans to hunt
Houston Chronicle & AP ^ | December 11, 2006

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.


TOPICS: Government; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: banglist; dumbideas; guns
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To: Snickering Hound

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.


21 posted on 12/11/2006 11:35:33 AM PST by TucsonJames
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To: Snickering Hound

What's more... the "sighted guy" can be Dick Cheney!


22 posted on 12/11/2006 11:35:45 AM PST by dangus (Pope calls Islam violent; Millions of Moslems demonstrate)
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To: Blue Jays
Hi All-

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 ~

23 posted on 12/11/2006 11:35:46 AM PST by Blue Jays (Rock Hard, Ride Free)
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Comment #24 Removed by Moderator

To: Snickering Hound

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.


25 posted on 12/11/2006 11:36:43 AM PST by GovernmentShrinker
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To: llevrok

LoL!


26 posted on 12/11/2006 11:36:56 AM PST by relee (How ironic that the fatal flaw of communism would turn out to be that there is no money in it - AWB)
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To: Kenton
Coming next - Blind NASCAR Racing!

We got that in Houston already, its called rush hour.
27 posted on 12/11/2006 11:39:24 AM PST by Hydroshock ( (Proverbs 22:7). The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.)
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To: llevrok
many years ago, I worked as a legislative analyst for the Washington State Senate. There was a bill before us to legalize the use of mechanically driven fishing reels that would enable physically handicapped people to fish (heart patients, quadriplegics...).

The bill was killed in committee as it was thought to give the fishermen an unfair "advantage".

28 posted on 12/11/2006 11:40:24 AM PST by llevrok (My seat back is never in the full and upright position.)
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To: SF Republican

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.


29 posted on 12/11/2006 11:40:56 AM PST by GovernmentShrinker
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To: GovernmentShrinker

"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!


30 posted on 12/11/2006 11:48:09 AM PST by Beagle8U
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To: raybbr
make that popcorn and Kevlar
31 posted on 12/11/2006 11:49:16 AM PST by NonValueAdded (Prayers for our patriot brother, 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub. Brian, we're all pulling for you!)
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To: Kenton

Or how about quadraplegic boxing? Or midgets in the NBA? Olympic Sumo High Diving competitions?


32 posted on 12/11/2006 11:51:35 AM PST by Manic_Episode (Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps...)
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To: Snickering Hound
Well, THIS is certainly appropriate:


33 posted on 12/11/2006 11:53:17 AM PST by Charles Martel (Liberals are the crab grass in the lawn of life.)
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To: Snickering Hound
You scared me for a second. I thought the headline said that the blond could hunt. The blind are much safer.

(Running to hide in the brunette bunker).

34 posted on 12/11/2006 12:00:44 PM PST by KarlInOhio (Baker's Iraq Surrender Group - warming up the last helicopter out of Baghdad.)
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To: raybbr
Thanks for the ping. IIRC, they usually have some degree of light perception, but their visual acuity is really bad, often a little better than no light perception. There was a guy in the upper midwest that got a concealed carry license even though he was legally blind, IIRC.
35 posted on 12/11/2006 12:02:01 PM PST by neverdem (May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
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To: Snickering Hound

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.


36 posted on 12/11/2006 12:04:22 PM PST by napscoordinator
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To: merry10; dmw; RoosterRe; Cinnamon Girl; MinorityRepublican; patriot_wes; SweetCaroline; ...

Deaf/Hard of Hearing ping list
with interests in health and society


37 posted on 12/11/2006 12:05:02 PM PST by wallcrawlr
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To: neverdem
The blind can hunt in Wisconsin. It's just a matter of getting the right permit. (and the permit is free!)
38 posted on 12/11/2006 12:07:11 PM PST by July 4th (A vacant lot cancelled out my vote for Bush.)
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To: Beagle8U

Do they hunt at night, then?


39 posted on 12/11/2006 12:07:15 PM PST by pfony1
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To: napscoordinator

It actually works pretty well up here. You just need to bring along an aiming buddy.


40 posted on 12/11/2006 12:08:18 PM PST by July 4th (A vacant lot cancelled out my vote for Bush.)
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