Porsche Carey, 14, holds shell casings that she and her family found at Rainbow Falls Park campground where an errant bullet took the life of Glenn Martin during a Fourth of July gathering. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Re: “Man killed by errant bullet in Pike National Forest highlights growing problem,” July 11 news story.
Like many people, I enjoy recreational target shooting. I often go to the range, like the challenge of clays, and have gone to several of the designated areas in national forests.
The sad and entirely avoidable death of Glenn Martin was caused by a selfish and careless person, discharging their weapon in an area clearly marked “No Shooting.” If anyone dares attempt to justify the use of guns in these areas for any reason, that is rank cowardice.
There have been provided more than ample places to legally shoot. Any “gun enthusiast” (the phrase from the article) who argues this has no business owning a firearm, and no consideration for their fellow citizens’ right to enjoy camping and hiking in our national forests. They are called “national” for a reason — they belong to us all — and this man and his family had every right to expect to do so in safety.
Thomas M. Holzfaster, Lakewood
This letter was published in the July 19 edition.The tragedy of Glenn Martin will occur again many times until we get serious about the problem of target shooting on public lands. Hiking in national forests is now a scary proposition. Twice I have narrowly escaped being shot.
What are gun advocacy groups doing to address this problem? Since their propaganda is a significant cause, they have a responsibility to work aggressively to solve it — including reaching out to non-members. The Forest Service proposals are commendable, but they are woefully inadequate. We need many more designated shooting ranges than they are planning. I suggest a system of ranges on public land, provided for a fee, with onsite personnel, managed by private companies.
A universal ban is the only way to protect public safety. Other recreational users travel everywhere throughout the public lands. Consequently, there is no place where dispersed, open shooting is safe. The ban must be strictly enforced, with stiff penalties; dangerous rogue shooters will respond to nothing less severe.
Paul Weis, Loveland
This letter was published in the July 19 edition.
