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Judge Rules Quadriplegic Can Bear Arms

Posted by samzenpus on from the phantom-gun-syndrome dept.

A judge has ruled that 46-year-old quadriplegic James Cap has the right to bear arms even though he is, "physically unable to hold a gun or pull a trigger." Cap was an avid hunter until a spinal injury sustained in a college football game left him wheelchair bound. He applied for a gun permit in May 2007 and was turned down by the Manville, New Jersey police because he "couldn't’t control, load or unload a firearm himself." James is now looking for a suitable weapon to use in the upcoming deer season.

15 comments

  1. Um... by hatemonger · · Score: 1

    I'm torn as to whether a gun mounted on a wheelchair is awesome or pathetic.

    1. Re:Um... by Profane+MuthaFucka · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's awesome! It's the modern remake of Rat Patrol! Guns on vehicles become guns on Rascal scooters!

      --
      Fascism trolls keeping me up every night. When I starts a preachin', he HITS ME WITH HIS REICH!
    2. Re:Um... by mollog · · Score: 1

      It's troubling. Let's hope this does not catch on.

      I'm sympathetic, but, really, is this a good idea? And it's hard for me to imagine how he's going to stalk a deer in that chair. I'm going to assume that they have a salt lick and are baiting the deer to a location where he can shoot it.

      --
      Best regards.
    3. Re:Um... by techess · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I live in one of the 4 states where you can hunt and be legally blind. (They must be accompanied by someone who can see).

      http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10366_41825_51108-197553--,00.html

      This doesn't scare me nearly as much. I'm guessing you are correct and he'll be hunting from a blind, but at least he isn't blind.

      --
      Don't anthropomorphize computers. They *hate* that.
    4. Re:Um... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why is this "troubling"? Many able bodied hunters use camouflage, tree seats, blinds, etc to wait for their prey. This fella is just more disadvantaged than most hunters.

      Just because you can't understand how he would be able to hunt successfully and stay within legal and ethical boundaries does not mean that enabling the disabled to pursue a legal blood sport is somehow wrong.

      "Catch on"??? Give me a break. So you think that now one quad is hunting then every quad will want to hunt? What kind of asinine remark is that?

      What is "troubling" is the attitude that this guy should just accept his situation and not push the envelope.

  2. He's going deer hunting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    But a bear is going to hunt him.

    1. Re:He's going deer hunting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He'll be a sitting duck.

  3. Quadriplegic Mailmen? by lnlypaladin · · Score: 1

    I imagine he could commission someone to hook up an air tube with a pressure sensor to a trigger pulling actuator. Then he could go for target practice, provided he has a similar device made for aiming the weapon. I imagine it would be difficult to use a scope, though...

    --
    Even those with good senses of humor, honor, and saintly intentions must occasionally require the use of a strong shield
    1. Re:Quadriplegic Mailmen? by frosty_tsm · · Score: 1

      I imagine it would be difficult to use a scope, though...

      Don't worry, he will no-scope it.

  4. Thatz How He B Rollin! by stairs_and_flowers · · Score: 1

    Playtimes over I got a job to do, and the world will be less crowded by the time I'm through, and I'll keep rolling while bullets fly, cause all my shootings be drivebys. -mchawking popup.lala.com/popup/360569496731547024 (mp3) www.mchawking.com/includes/lyrics/driveby_lyrics.php (WORDs)

  5. Insane by RockDoctor · · Score: 0

    Subject says it all.

    --
    Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
  6. Been there, seen that by mcohrs · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The folks at the Wyoming Assistive Technology Project, WYNOT, now called WIND (http://uwyo.edu/wind/watr/), had a number of modified weapons for people with disabilities. Contact them for more information. I also saw a handgun online designed for people who did not have the strength to pull a regular trigger or hold a regular pistol.

    1. Re:Been there, seen that by oldspewey · · Score: 1

      I also saw a handgun online designed for people who did not have the strength to pull a regular trigger or hold a regular pistol.

      Wicked! I've been scratching my head wondering what to get my toddler for Christmas. Thanks for the tip!

      --
      If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
    2. Re:Been there, seen that by Sarten-X · · Score: 1

      When I took my first archery training, there was a whole section regarding addressing such problems. On occasion, I've had to improvise. On multiple occasions, I've duct-taped bows to forearm casts. From others, I've heard stories of shooters with missing thumbs, wheelchairs, one arm, and even a shooter whose only mobility was his jaw. There is absolutely no reason why anyone not in a coma cannot use a firearm. The Manville police appear to be idiots.

      --
      You do not have a moral or legal right to do absolutely anything you want.
  7. Sneeze by SJester · · Score: 1

    I hope he doesn't sneeze into that air tube and nail a toddler. Or is he going to have a trained bloodthirsty attack monkey to pull the trigger?