To all blind readers:
This One's for You, Kyle
Kyle Marple, 37, Fargo, formerly Elbow Lake, Minn., died as a result of injuries suffered in a skydiving accident. Below is the complete video of our first jump. He shall be missed.
Part 1 (6 min)What is a blind marksman?
My definition of a blind marksman is someone who independently loads, aims, and fires his or her weapon, honing in on a target with all available sensory input to deliver a tight pattern, while maintaining 100% control of the weapon. Sorry, but they aren’t someone who just pulls the trigger, as others hold and aim the weapon. I have flown coach a number of times, but I don’t call myself a commercial pilot. My personal philosophy is that if I will be held 100% accountable for the result of the trigger pull, then it will be I who will be both in 100% control of the weapon, and 100% responsible for insuring the safety of others.
My Official Position On Gun Rights
Everyone who isn’t sharpening spoons while arguing with invisible people, or such, should have the right to protect themselves with any firearm they want, but should be trained to operate that weapon within the framework of their own limitations. I believe firmly in shooting tests. They demonstrate that the applicant has at least fired a gun once before carrying in public. Beyond that, they don’t have a “Real World” application. I’ve never heard of cardboard firing back, have you?
3 Hard Facts About This Blind Marksman
Fact 1. My marksmanship was first certified nearly two decades ago through the U.S. military.
Fact 2. I have passed all requirements just like everyone else for every permit I have applied for.
Fact 3. I can with my two state-issued permits carry my gun in 30 states, including Minnesota, that denied my permit’s application, but in which I have since legally carried my weapon.
From an interview with Simon Pauley of Insight Radio
Video Demonstration Footage
Caution:
The following is my technique and it works for me alone. I do not recommend anyone trying this without first receiving official training from law enforcement or the United States Military. In addition, such techniques should only be used in a sporting capacity at a designated firing range.
Just like a submarine tracks a ship or a bat or whale finds its prey in the wild, a blind marksman can find the general location of the target quickly by listening for a beacon's direction. The best thing for me is a series of slow rhythmic beeps such as a smoke detector taped to the target, but anything will do as long as its tone is not overwhelming with a lot of echoing feedback. Measure the pulses in each ear and focus until the sound is equal in both ears. This means that the beacon is centered with your nose. Square your shoulders and memorize where your body is when the desired frequency comes to the center. An imaginary line should be able to be drawn from your eyebrows, neck, shoulders and heart to the target. Raise the gun slowly to check the alignment from your heart to your palms holding the gun. Using your mind's eye, picture the gun's barrel before you and the target beyond. Image a line going from your center of gravity, between your wrists and along the image of the gun's sights.
Gravity and body positioning are two constants that anyone can used to align oneself to the target. Controlling breathing and relaxing will help steady the gun. The trigger pull should be so gentle that the shot should almost surprise you. Tighten your grip on the gun to the point of making the gun shake slightly. Then relax your hold until the shaking stops and a firm, but steady grip is established. Adjust your stance as required for the desired spread, always maintaining one firm foot pointing towards the target so you will not loose orientation during readjustment and to absorb the shock of the gun's recoil. These and more tips are found in my book- Guide Dogs and Guns: America's First Blind Marksman Fires Back.
Pictures | Contact
Moonlight's Meridian: Nuclear Terrorism and The Undead