From: David Bundy 
Subject: Re: A Question of Security
George,
        As David Andrews said in his post, whether to own or use a gun is as
much a matter of personal choice for the blind as for anyone else.  My
personal choice has been to give up my guns when I became blind.  I am a
firm believer in the right to keep and bear arms, and do own two (this is
not a contradiction of my first statement since they are stored in a vault
at my uncle's house.).  I believe any responsible adult should have the
right to own a gun, and I believe that being responsible includes obtaining
the training and developing the familiarity with your weapon to use it
safely and effectively.  The first thing I was taught when I began to use
guns was "always be sure of your target."  When I became blind, I felt that
I could no longer be sure of my target and made the conscious decision to
give up the guns.  Another safety  concern I would have is the same one I
have about people who are afraid of guns owning them.  This concern is the
possibility of an attacker taking your weapon and using it against you.
Anytime you draw a gun you must be willing to use it.  You should never
count on an intruder's being intimidated/frightened off by the presence of
the gun.   If the intruder does not flee at the sight of the gun, you must
be willing and able to use it against him and deal with the consequences
(legal, psychological, and otherwise) of doing so.  If you hesitate, you
could very well find yourself on the receiving end of the shot, either from
your own gun or from one he might have brought with him.    As I said, it is
your choice to made; I only hope you will consider what I have said in
making your choice.  Further, if you do choose to purchase a gun. I hope you
will not just bring it home and put it in a safe place until it is needed.
Learn to use it effectively and safely.
        Just a note that I will add because you may or may not find it
relavent to the discussion.  I am blind as the result of a random shooting.
As I hope my above advice  demonstrates, I don't believe this has changed
the way I feel about guns in any way, but it is something that you may want
to be aware of when considering what I have to say.
At 06:59 PM 8/1/97 -0700, you wrote:
>
>
>I need your advice.  I'm legally blind, and I'm very concerned about
>security (both home and personal).  
>
>Where I live, it is legal to own and use a gun in self-defense in one's
>home.  
>
>But one may not carry it on one's person outside the house without a
>permit, which is almost never issued.
>
>I live alone, and nobody should or would ever be in my home at night,
>unless that person broke in.
>
>So, the question is, should a blind or legally blind person own and/or use
>a gun for personal protection / self-defense in the home?  If not, how
>should we protect ourselves?  And PLEASE, don't say "Dial 9-1-1."  That's
>like saying "Just die and accept it."  No thanks.
>
>-- George
>
>  
>Life is what you make of it.  Make the best of it!
>"Failure is not an option."  -- Apollo 13, Mission Control
>
>
>
David W. Bundy, MSW
President, South Carolina Association of Blind Students
National Federation of the Blind 
Independint Representative, Destiny Telecomm International
Telephone: (803) 252-2667
E-Mail: 	 bundy@netside.com	S-Mail: 2306 Sumter St., Columbia. SC 29201
http://www.netside.com/~bundy
SCABS Homepage: http://www.netside.com/~bundy/scabs
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