LOUISVILLE - The case of a blind woman caught carrying a gun onto federal property has state lawmakers asking whether people who cannot see where they are shooting should be allowed to carry concealed weapons.

Carolyn Ann Key was caught carrying a derringer at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Ms. Key, 52, was cited Nov. 9 and pleaded guilty Jan. 30 in U.S. District Court. She was fined $100 and forced to at least temporarily surrender her gun and permit.

''This is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard of. How can a blind person see what they are shooting at?'' asked state Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville, who is considering whether to file a bill to address the situation.

But Ms. Key, who uses a guide dog, said she is comfortable with guns because she grew up hunting and shooting with her brothers.

Ms. Key said she applied for a permit in 1999 and want ed to carry a gun ''for the same reason that most fe males do'' - to protect herself in her home and when she has to walk alone at night.

The test for a Kentucky permit requires applicants to hit a human-size target at least 11 times out of 20 from a distance of 21 feet.

Ms. Key said she practiced shooting at the range. For her test, an instructor led her into a booth and told her the target was in front of her. She also said that she can see light and shadows and could make out the target's silhouette.

''They didn't help me aim,'' she said.

The author of the concealed-carry law, state Rep. Bob Damron, D-Nicholasville, acknowledged he was ''a little surprised that a blind individual would have a permit,'' but he said none have erroneously shot anyone.

State police say they have no idea how many blind people legally carry concealed weapons.

One is Jeffrey Fowler. The 59-year- old retired cardiologist shot a perfect score on his test for the concealed- carry permit.

''People are too quick to judge what disabled people can or can't do,'' said Fowler, who was blinded as a young adult by a genetic disease.

''And I have a God-given and constitutional right to protect myself.''

Bob Dickerson