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unformed

Allow the blind to hunt?

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Talk radio has been having a field day with this proposal, and the amount of bigotry being displayed against the blind, and against hunters, is simply astounding. In their zeal to sensationalize, nobody is bothering to find out the facts. That's par for the course.

Here are the facts.

The actual text of the bill:
"HUNTING WITH LASER SIGHTING DEVICE BY LEGALLY BLIND HUNTER. (a) In this section, "legally blind" has the meaning assigned by Section 62.104, Government Code.
(b) A legally blind hunter may use a laser sighting device during regular hunting hours when assisted by a person who is not legally blind."


Reference: H.B. No. 308
And the definition of "legally blind":
"'legally blind' means having: (1) no more than 20/200 of visual acuity in the better eye with correcting lenses; or (2) visual acuity greater than 20/200, but with a limitation in the field of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees."

Reference: Government Code 62.104
So, this isn't really about people who are totally blind, it's about people who have vision that is somewhat impaired. After all, if they were completely blind, then they wouldn't be able to see the laser either. And they are only allowed to hunt with the assistance of someone with normal eyesight, to prevent accidents. So the purpose of the laser is to allow the hunting guide to tell the visually impaired person that they have acquired the proper aiming point to shoot, and that it is safe to do so.

But of course, the media with all their highly educated reporters, in their frenzy for controversy and sensation, don't bother to find and publish the facts. But somehow, little ol' dumb John Rich could manage to stumble into the truth.

This is the equivalent of a reporter publishing a story about a visually impaired person making a tandem skydive, with the headline: "Blind Person Jumps Out of Airplane!"

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This is the equivalent of a reporter publishing a story about a visually impaired person making a tandem skydive, with the headline: "Blind Person Jumps Out of Airplane!"

Damn, John, I think I wrote that story during my dats as a a mild-mannered reporter for a metropolitan newspaper.

Couldn't help but laugh at the irony of this. Good reply.
Zing Lurks

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