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PHOTOS BY OLEG VOLK • A-HUMAN-RIGHT.COM
left: As Josh Benson
demonstrates, given appropriate
instruction and enough
personal motivation, even
people with severe physical
challenges can become
accomplished shooters and
learn to protect themselves.
above: Bert Rollen tries the new
Keltec RMR30 .22 Magnum
carbine for fit. Despite his
handicap, Bert handles .45 ACP
handguns fine — but prefers
lighter firearms when they are
practical.
The Challenged Shooter
PART I
SHOOTER STATUS
firearm. Absent such certification, the
instructor may be legally liable for any
negative consequences that may ensue.
In physical terms, how stable is the
shooter? If their disability involves legs,
spine or their sense of balance, their
stability will be affected. This impacts
not only their ability to shoot, but the
safety of those around them. If they may
fall while holding the gun, they must be
trained to keep their finger off the trigger
and not tighten their grip while falling,
otherwise a negligent discharge is
waiting to happen. If others are standing
nearby at the time–particularly an
instructor–the odds of someone getting
in the way of that bullet are better than
fair.
If the shooter uses any aids to stand
or walk–crutches, a walking-stick, a
walking-frame, or other device–then
their first priority is to hold onto that
aid while drawing and shooting. There’s
no point in their being able to draw
perfectly, by the numbers, while simultaneously
falling flat on their face!
Also, the use of such supports will usually
prevent the use of both hands to
shoot, so they’re going to have to learn
to shoot one-handed. If they are in a
wheelchair, that simplifies matters, but
only partially. They may need at least
one hand to retain mobility, turning
a wheel to propel themselves toward
cover. If they find themselves in a closequarters
incident (for example, some
MAY/JUNE 2011 n CONCEALED CARRY MAGAZINE n USCONCEALEDCARRY.COM
thug comes up behind them and tips
over their wheelchair, prior to grabbing
their handbag or rifling through their
pockets), they may have to use one
hand to brace themselves or push the
wheelchair off themselves, while the
other fends off the attacker or goes for
their gun.
What firearms can
the shooter handle?
Having assessed balance, stance, and
related issues, we now have to look at
the shooter’s ability to handle a defensive
firearm. Many disabilities, particularly
spinal cord injuries, can affect upper
body and arm strength and mobility.
Decreased mobility may imply restric-
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