DHAKA: Some blind people are granted gun permits in one US state, and law enforcement officials are debating the wisdom of it.

The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa law does not allow sheriffs to deny a permit to carry a gun in public based on physical ability.

Blind people can obtain the permits for carrying a weapon in public because of changes to state law that took effect in 2011.

Jane Hudson with Disability Rights Iowa said keeping legally blind people from obtaining weapon permits would violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.

She said federal law requires states to analyse a situation individually before denying a service.

‘The fact that you can’t drive a car doesn’t mean you can’t go to a shooting range and see a target,’ Hudson said, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 2030 HRS, SEPT 09, 2013
RoR/Jck