Terry Sutherland says process was “smooth and normal”

A blind man in Indiana has been granted a concealed carry permit, raising questions about the state’s gun laws. Terry Sutherland, who lost his sight as a teenager, said he used his sight-seeing stick when he visited the City-County Building for fingerprinting to obtain the permit. He claimed multiple people were aware of his blindness, wishTV reported.

Sutherland described the process as “smooth and normal,” stating that no one questioned it. He admitted he had expected someone to intervene and prevent him from receiving the permit. “I thought I would get a letter saying, ‘You can’t aim a gun or put a bullet where it’s supposed to go, so we’re not going to give you this permit,’” he said.

Calls for stricter gun laws

Although Sutherland supports the Second Amendment, he believes his situation highlights an issue in Indiana’s gun laws. He pointed out that some states require individuals to pass a competency test at a shooting range before being allowed to carry a gun in public, which he argues should be implemented in Indiana as well.

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“I think competency with a lethal weapon is the bare minimum we can do,” Sutherland said.

Gun rights advocate and attorney Guy Relford disagreed with Sutherland’s stance, arguing that government restrictions on constitutional rights could be dangerous. While he acknowledged the importance of firearm training, he maintained that personal responsibility, rather than government regulation, should ensure safety.

Relford also suggested that Sutherland’s concerns could be used as an argument to impose broader restrictions on gun rights, particularly since Indiana has had constitutional carry laws in place since 2022.

Indiana’s gun laws under scrutiny

Indiana law allows individuals over the age of 18 to carry guns in public, either openly or concealed, without a permit. However, obtaining a concealed carry permit allows gun owners to carry their weapons in states that require permits.

Sutherland questioned the logic of these laws, asking, “Why can’t I get a driver’s license if I can have a gun? What’s the worst that could happen? I could kill somebody with a car.”

He has since reached out to his Statehouse representatives to discuss potential changes to Indiana’s firearm regulations but has yet to receive a response.