"NJ Judge Says Quadriplegic Man Can Have Guns"

[krispos42]

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 11, 2009
Filed at 9:31 a.m. ET

SOMERVILLE, N.J. (AP) -- A New Jersey judge says a quadriplegic blocked from buying a gun to go hunting has the right to bear arms even though he will have to use a wheelchair mount to use the firearm.

Manville's police chief had rejected James Cap's application last year, citing safety concerns. The borough attorney says the safety issues could only be resolved by a judge.

A judge ruled Tuesday that the 46-year-old is eligible for a firearms ID, which is required to buy a gun. The judge addressed the safety issues by requiring Cap to have qualified people assist him with weapons.

Cap was an avid hunter as a teenager. He was paralyzed 30 years ago after breaking his neck in a high school football game. He plans to mount the gun on his wheelchair and operate it with a breathing tube.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/11/11/us/AP-US-Quadriplegic-Gun-Permit.html?_r=2

Well, this is interesting.

[ingac70]

1. I can't believe some asshole....

rejected his application.

[Euromutt]

17. That's New Jersey for you

Even though it doesn't rate as highly in the Brady Campaign's esteem as California, it seems to have even more bureaucratic bullshit and exercise of executive "discretion."

[joeybee12]

2. Wow...opearte it with a breathing tube?

This is gonna turn out just great!

[derby378]

3. He must have qualified assistants help him with the gun

It's not like he can go and hunt solo, anyway, but his buddies can ensure that the rifle is in good working order, that any sights are properly aligned and calibrated, that the chamber is clear and secured when the rifle is not in use, etc.

We're not dealing with a pre-adolescent firing a full-auto Mini-Uzi that has jamming issues and a nasty kick. This is going to be under careful supervision with fellow hunters who want the poor guy to enjoy his experience but stay safe at the same time.

[rfranklin]

5. You are making one boatload of assumptions...

Were did you find out all those details?

[AtheistCrusader]

13. Those of us in the hunting community deal with this sort of thing a lot.

I've never had the opportunity to help someone in that sort of shape hunting, but limited mobility, sure. I have helped a parapalegic with fishing, and another gentleman with a nervous system-wide issue similar to MS who was effectively a quadriplegic.

There's nothing wrong with helping people with disabilities get out of doors and have some fun. Many of us consider it a duty.

[Electric Monk]

15. Here's an earlier and more detailed article

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/quadriplegic_sues_town_police.html

[rfranklin]

4. ooops! I didn't mean to cough in your direction...

could be a bit worse than spreading a cold.

[Ian David]

9. Oooh... didn't think of that. Yeah, that COULD end badly. But we'll see. n/t

[noiretextatique]

6. he can't get healthcare, but he can get a gun

:thumbsup: we sure do have our priorities in order in this country

[virgogal]

7. Where did it say he can't getr healthcare?

[noiretextatique]

10. he has a pre-existing condition eom

[Ter]

11. Well...

Only one is a Constitutional right...

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

14. He's got single payer healthcare.

[benEzra]

18. So you don't think he should be allowed to own a gun, either?

Respect for responsible gun ownership AND decent health care are not an either-or choice; you can have both, you know.

[AtheistCrusader]

12. Yeah, fuck cripples man, they don't need guns *HIGH FIVE*

Do you even think before you post?

[taurus145]

16. Whatcha gonna do for an encore,

suggest that people with glasses can't own firearms or hunt? rule out outdoor activities for those lacking a limb?

How very inclusive of you.

[old mark]

8. NJ Democrats supporting Corzine made big noise about his anti-

"Gun Lobby" position. I wonder how much that hurt his campaign.
NJ law is notoriously anti-gun, and sadly it may take the new republicangovernor - a real pig - to change the gun laws for the better.

mark

[benEzra]

19. Nationwide, most of the Dems who won this month were pro-gun (including the big race in NY state)

and most of those who lost ran hard on gun control. It's an albatross.

[old mark]

20. About time someone in the high and mighty branch of the Democratic Party realizes this.

Might save a few seats in 2010.

mark