2aHawaii

General Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rookie808 on February 17, 2010, 02:24:37 PM

Title: can a friend with cerebral palsy shoot guns?
Post by: Rookie808 on February 17, 2010, 02:24:37 PM

my friend is taking me and another friend shooting at kokohead this weekend.  the only thing is my other friend has cerebral palsy meaning his hands and limbs shake and twitch sometimes.  my friend with cp wants to try shooting guns because he never has before but because of his medical condition will he be allowed to shoot by the range officials?

Title: Re: can a friend with cerebral palsy shoot guns?
Post by: Antithesis on February 17, 2010, 09:37:03 PM

It would probably depend on the severity of his condition and if the range officials view him to be a risk to the other shooters. 

Title: Re: can a friend with cerebral palsy shoot guns?
Post by: 2aHawaii on February 17, 2010, 09:43:13 PM

You'll definitely want to make sure he is not a danger to other shooters. You guys won't make any friends that way. My guess is it's a judgement call by your friend with CP and can probably be done safely by following the 3 safety rules:

1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

Oh yeah, have a great time!!!  :shaka:

Title: Re: can a friend with cerebral palsy shoot guns?
Post by: Tom_G on February 18, 2010, 09:13:29 PM

I know several shooters with varying degrees of Parkinson's.  They know their abilities and limitations and are able to shoot both safely and effectively.  However, I'm sure each of them was a shooter first and developed the disease later in life.

I don't know what the range officials will tell you, but I'm sure they'll be fair.  Their job, in part, is to promote the shooting sports.

Maybe the best idea for your friend would be rifle from a bench rest.  It would be much harder for a random twitch or two to end up discharging a rifle in an unsafe direction than a handgun.

Title: Re: can a friend with cerebral palsy shoot guns?
Post by: Rookie808 on February 19, 2010, 10:25:58 PM

okay thanks guys. 

Title: Re: can a friend with cerebral palsy shoot guns?
Post by: HiCarry on February 20, 2010, 01:59:43 PM

As long as he can control the firearm and not endanger anyone on the range, he should be allowed the opportunity to shoot. And, while it will ultimately be the RO's call on whether he can shoot or not, remind them (nicely, of course...) that as a State park they are obliged to make reasonable accomodations for disabled individuals.

Title: Re: can a friend with cerebral palsy shoot guns?
Post by: Rookie808 on February 24, 2010, 02:31:00 PM

so we didnt get to go this week but will probably try to go this weekend.