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Blind gun-permit holder opposes changing exam
By James Warden
The Associated Press
BISMARCK, N.D. — Carey McWilliams carries a pistol, but he can't see it or whatever — or whomever — he might shoot at. Still, he comes armed with the full blessing of North Dakota.
It wasn't easy to get to that point, though.
McWilliams, 31, who has been blind since age 10, had to pass a two-part exam to obtain his concealed-weapon permit. First, he had to ace an open-book test of 10 true-or-false questions. Then, he had to prove his shooting proficiency by hitting an 18-by-20-inch human silhouette at least seven of 10 times, from 21 feet away.
Now, North Dakota lawmakers are considering getting rid of the exam — or at least the shooting part — and McWilliams doesn't think that's right.
"I don't think everybody under the sun should be able to just walk in and get a weapon," said McWilliams, of Fargo. "You've got to have standards."
In January, the state House approved legislation to remove both the written and shooting tests. Some representatives argued that the tests are meaningless, and some even pointed to McWilliams to support their position.
On Monday, the Senate voted to remove just the shooting test, arguing that other states would not honor North Dakota's permits without some kind of exam. The legislation now goes back to the House for final approval.
Republican state Rep. Todd Porter doesn't believe North Dakotans should have restrictions put on their right to carry a weapon.
"I just think there's too many hoops for a law-abiding citizen to jump through to get a concealed weapon," said Porter, who sponsored the House bill.
But McWilliams counters that eliminating testing could allow people who are ignorant about firearm regulations to get permits.
Porter and his supporters, however, point to McWilliams as an example of the uselessness of testing requirements.
McWilliams, who can distinguish only different shades of light, hit his target six of 10 times — one short of the minimum needed to pass — on his first try at the shooting part of the test. On his second attempt, however, he hit the target all 10 times.
"I shook a couple people up [when I got my permit], but all I did was exercise my right as an American citizen," McWilliams said. "When you're blind, you can't run from an assailant."
Republican state Rep. Don Dietrich opposes removing the written test, saying it requires applicants to become familiar with state laws about where weapons can and cannot be taken.
The test makes sure people know that weapons are not allowed in bars or gambling sites or at public gatherings, including church and sporting events, Dietrich said. The test also includes questions about the legal use of deadly force and the definition of "concealed."
"The idea is to at least have the applicants familiarize themselves with the laws of North Dakota," he said.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002202662_blind10.html
By James Warden
The Associated Press
BISMARCK, N.D. — Carey McWilliams carries a pistol, but he can't see it or whatever — or whomever — he might shoot at. Still, he comes armed with the full blessing of North Dakota.
It wasn't easy to get to that point, though.
McWilliams, 31, who has been blind since age 10, had to pass a two-part exam to obtain his concealed-weapon permit. First, he had to ace an open-book test of 10 true-or-false questions. Then, he had to prove his shooting proficiency by hitting an 18-by-20-inch human silhouette at least seven of 10 times, from 21 feet away.
Now, North Dakota lawmakers are considering getting rid of the exam — or at least the shooting part — and McWilliams doesn't think that's right.
"I don't think everybody under the sun should be able to just walk in and get a weapon," said McWilliams, of Fargo. "You've got to have standards."
In January, the state House approved legislation to remove both the written and shooting tests. Some representatives argued that the tests are meaningless, and some even pointed to McWilliams to support their position.
On Monday, the Senate voted to remove just the shooting test, arguing that other states would not honor North Dakota's permits without some kind of exam. The legislation now goes back to the House for final approval.
Republican state Rep. Todd Porter doesn't believe North Dakotans should have restrictions put on their right to carry a weapon.
"I just think there's too many hoops for a law-abiding citizen to jump through to get a concealed weapon," said Porter, who sponsored the House bill.
But McWilliams counters that eliminating testing could allow people who are ignorant about firearm regulations to get permits.
Porter and his supporters, however, point to McWilliams as an example of the uselessness of testing requirements.
McWilliams, who can distinguish only different shades of light, hit his target six of 10 times — one short of the minimum needed to pass — on his first try at the shooting part of the test. On his second attempt, however, he hit the target all 10 times.
"I shook a couple people up [when I got my permit], but all I did was exercise my right as an American citizen," McWilliams said. "When you're blind, you can't run from an assailant."
Republican state Rep. Don Dietrich opposes removing the written test, saying it requires applicants to become familiar with state laws about where weapons can and cannot be taken.
The test makes sure people know that weapons are not allowed in bars or gambling sites or at public gatherings, including church and sporting events, Dietrich said. The test also includes questions about the legal use of deadly force and the definition of "concealed."
"The idea is to at least have the applicants familiarize themselves with the laws of North Dakota," he said.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002202662_blind10.html
