[TheEgg]

I was in the gun shop Friday. A man in a wheelchair was shopping for handguns. I do not know what his medical condition was, but he did not have full control of his legs, hands, and arms. He was examing, one at a time, almost all of the semi-automatic pistols that the store had to offer (a lot of different models!).

His physical condition kept him from being able to manipulate these handguns. He did not have the strength to rack the slide, nor remove or replace the magazine. The staff had to help him with all of these actions. Yet he persisted in looking at one after another, after another.

I do not understand what exactly either the customer or the staff had in mind. I so much wanted to walk over and say "please look at the revolvers!". I think he could have used a revolver. I did not, because it really was none of my business.

I suppose that the staff was just trying to please the customer, hoping to make a sale. But, I think that if I was working there, I would have tried my best to steer this gentleman toward the revolvers.

I went to the range to shoot. Came back into the store after about 2 hours, and he was still there, still looking at the semi-autos. I then left before any transaction was completed. I don't know if he purchased any handgun.

My question for you is this -- if the customer insisted on purchasing one of the semi-autos, and it was clear that he could not work it or handle it safely because of his physical condition, should the gun store employees/owners have turned him down? Would you?

[wasrjoe]

He could be purshasing it as a gft, he could be a collector, he may actually be able to shoot it but not manipulate it and therefore bring his friends or family with him to the range to help. I know that if I suddenly became handicapped like the man you were describing, I would still like semi autos more than revolvers. Now, I may not choose (in this hypothetical situation) a semi for self defense, but they simply interest me more.

[whm1974]

Berrata and Taures make some autos with flip up barrels. Those should be easy for him to use.

-Bill

[TheEgg]

I should have included in the first post -- from the conversation with the clerks, the pistol was indeed intended for him, as a self defense piece. I don't know in what capacity, HD, or CCW.

He may indeed have had someone to help him -- I thought of that. But then it would seem pointless for him to keep trying to work all of the pistols like he was. He really was trying, very hard, to manipulate the guns, but just did not seem to have the strength.

I dunno. And I dunno how I would answer my own questions, just that I would have to think on it.

[TheEgg]

Berrata and Taures make some autos with flip up barrels. Those should be easy for him to use.

Good point, I had not thought of those. Those might actually be easier for him to use than a revolver, if he could manage the magazines.

[gazpacho]

If he could demonstrate to me that there was a firearm he could reasonable operate, then i would sell it to him. Otherwise, I would probably recommend a six-pack of Mace and a pair of Tasers. Oh, and those air-horn cans.

[Preacherman]

See here (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=76203) for a discussion of the issue.

[Majic]

edit

[TheEgg]

Preacherman --

Did not see the previous thread detailing your efforts until you pointed it out. Excellent write-up, and bonus brownie points for your efforts.

I hope that the gentleman that I saw can find someone like you to help him out. It did not appear to me that anyone in the store (me included!) would be of much help to him.