Government

Utah Announces it Can Restrict Gun Use & Target Shooting to Prevent Fires

There’s an interesting story brewing in Utah surrounding public safety and personal freedom. Republican Gov. Gary Herbert is taking some steps that some Second Amendment champions will find unappealing. On Monday, he announced that the state forester has the power and the right to ban target shooting in unincorporated areas of the state (areas outside cities and towns).

While the decision will surely create some angst, it is being made following public safety concerns. Since target shooting, among other activities like using fireworks, is considered to be a potential fire-starter, Herbert is attempting to minimize dangers. At least one recent fire was apparently started by shooting, which adds fuel to the proposal to ban the practice in specified areas.

Utah Governor Announces State Can Ban Target Shooting to Prevent Fires

Deseret News has more about the difficult decisions surrounding the potential ban:

The governor’s announcement came after a 1½-hour, closed-door meeting with legislative leaders and a number of attorneys over whether a special session was needed to put a stop to target shooting in the wake of hundreds of fires.

Neither Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, nor House Speaker Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, appeared to have any interest in changing the law to restrict target shooting, but both agreed it could be handled by state Forester Dick Buehler.

The governor had suggested earlier Monday he may well have the ability to ban fireworks and target shooting throughout the state, but said after the meeting with legislative leaders he didn’t want to have that theory tested in court.

Herbert called the legal situation “complicated” at a hastily called 6 p.m. news conference.

“None of us were into a blanket, one-size-fits-all approach,” the governor said.

“We’re not interested in blanket bans,” said Lockhart. We‘re not interested in any way in limiting people’s 2nd Amendment right to carry firearms in their own interest.”

Utah Governor Announces State Can Ban Target Shooting to Prevent Fires

While others, like Waddoups, said that rights aren’t purposefully trying to be trampled, some citizens may disagree. But in the name of safety, the decision to protect citizens against fires seems to be at the forefront of discussion. Already, a firework ban has been placed throughout unincorporated areas by the state forester. Deseret continues:

At least one recent fire was believed to have been started by target shooters, but the so-called “Dump Fire” was apparently sparked within an incorporated area. Herbert said it is up to local governments to place any restrictions on target shooting within their limits.

Earlier Monday, the governor told the Deseret News something needed to be done. He first broached the idea last week of calling a special legislative session to give local law enforcement the power to ban target shooting.

“Clearly, I think there’s a need just for public safety purposes to either have the governor be able to do that, to declare an emergency situation, to maybe have a little more carte blanche ability to set parameters on firearms and fireworks,” Herbert said. “If not, there’s certainly the local control.”

Despite the state facing its worst fire season in years, the governor doesn’t want to overreach and overreact through policy. So, he’s treading carefully.

“What we don’t want to do is be like Congress. Congress is good at doing two things. One is nothing, and two is overreact,” Herbert proclaimed. “We don’t want to do that. Again, we want to do what is appropriate, measured and thoughtful. That‘s what we’re doing. We’re not going to overreact on that.”

Read more about this story over at Deseret News.

Comments (133)

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  • LOJ
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:45am

    Know that in the future, the left will come up with every incredible excuse to disarm the public, so they can gain total control over our lives! Yeh, well lightning could strike a tree and start the fire, or an arsonist could definitely start the fires, the chances are much less that target practice could start fires…

    Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:23am

      people were asked not to target shoot in certain places that are extremely dry…they did anyway…the sparks start fires…huge fires…
      they were asked..not told…they knew there was tremendous danger…and they had no regard fro people or property…
      as the utah governor said, ” you can’t pass a law that outlaws stupid”…the gov is very open about what goes on. here is no “conspiracy” to take our guns over this…just trying to avoid more property loss out here.
      I understand fights over gun rights…
      .HOWEVER!!!…try living in some of these dry places , let someone go out shooting in the dry grassy places, start your house, property on fire!
      The latest devastating fire here was caused by someone parking their hot car over a patch of dry weeds!… catalytic converters stay hot for a while…people have been warned…but again STUPIDITY REIGNS…
      Utah is not trying to take guns away…they’re trying to stop the unnecessary target practice in the dry areas..just go somewhere else and shoot!!!

      Report Post »  
    • BSdetector
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:00am

      “…the right of the people to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED”

      Report Post » BSdetector  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:15am

      I guess you can bear them but not fire them? Does this go for the Military and Police too? If so, Utah is unarmd. Loot them now just because they are stupid!

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • liberty_for_all
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:30am

      @BSdetector

      This is not an issue of infringing on one’s right to bear arms. Herbert specified that he didn’t want to do that. Many don’t know how dry it is in Utah. People who shoot outdoors often do so with metal targets. In Utah, 19 fires this year alone have alegedly been started by gunfire. Clearly it’s an issue. Herbert said he wants the local leaders to set their own laws regarding the issue. He could easily say, “no guns,” but, he doesn’t. He respects the 2nd Amendment.

      Report Post »  
    • AZindependent
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:53am

      We have had at least two fires (one major) started by people target shooting this season here in AZ. We have campfire bans throughout the state, no burning notices in almost every County, etc… This is just a similar type of preventive measure. Once it rains some the bans are lifted.

      What bugs me is the Fourth of July fireworks displays put on by governments go on despite all the other sensible restrictions. People have to see their fireworks, even if the town risks burning down.

      Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:02am

      AND it is obvious most of you guys didn’t read the article….and the implications to fires…

      Report Post »  
    • SekndAmendment
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:22am

      Okay everybody shut up… I’m a staunch 2nd Amendment supporter, you can probably guess that from my name. People can still keep and shoot their guns in Utah but a few stupid people were shooting and cost the state millions in firefighting efforts after they were politely asked to exercise extreme caution and utterly failed to do so. Your right to carry a gun is not more important than my right to not have my house burned to the ground with all my possessions inside. This ban isn’t permanent. Utah is STILL one of the most gun-friendly states in the country.

      Report Post »  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 12:05pm

      for mils…. there are MANY things that start fires when it’s dry are you saying they should restrict ALL of them?? Granted the nitwits that were warned about the prospect that a fire could occur and choose to shoot anyways should be held responsible..the first time I traveled West I had NO idea about dry conditions and fires…I was born and raised in CHICAGO where only COWS and LANTERNS are needed.. I am assuming that residents ALL know the rules and the dangers .. some apparently choose NOT to listen to them.. as these guys did.. and they should be held responsible .. another point I want to make is since the environmentalists have decided that hugging trees is the way to go our lumber industry has quit thinning the forest..and clearing the shrubbery between the trees.. because they think they should leave everything natural..and sometimes lighting starts these fires just to clear things out.. MOTHER NATURE sometimes decides to do what people won’t.. either way it’s not logical to BAN things that people will do anyway.. best to make an example of these guys..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • wzanesdad
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 12:24pm

      AZINDEPENDANT,
      You are absolutely right….they have done this in the verde valley for years, but as soon as the monsoon starts they lift the ban. I don’t think this is anti-gun….just common sense.

      Report Post » wzanesdad  
    • soysauce
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 12:49pm

      @MILS
      What sparks? Born and raised Utahn, and always shoot outdoors. Never in my entire life of shooting have I ever seen lead, copper or brass make a spark. High speed, low speed, against steel targets, rocks, just doesn’t happen. Commercial exploding targets from what i’ve seen are more likely to put out a fire than to start one. Don’t believe what you see in the movies… Bottome line is someone was doing something irresponsible and doesn’t want to tell the truth. Maybe someone simply flicked their cig instead of putting it out.

      Report Post »  
    • mefree
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 3:24pm

      MILS and everyone else who says this is ‘just common sense’ listen up. I live in Utah, and in fact my house and those of my friends were close to these fires. What you don’t know is that Herbert is ridiculously corrupt (I was really hoping he would be defeated in Caucus) and that he is a big government moron. If you actually lived here you would have seen all his various comments on TV and how condescending and arrogant he is, eerily similar to Hatch. Herbert is doing exactly what he claims he is not doing and is over-reacting. Don’t waste a good emergency to expand government power right?

      This is simple. If you knowingly did stupid actions that lead to the destruction of other people’s property then guess what, you have to be held accountable. Otherwise, crap happens. Welcome to the real world, isn’t that what our confiscated tax dollars are for?

      In summary, for all you people out there saying this is just common sense and a good idea, enjoy people one of the sheeple because everytime you surrender liberty for the illusion of protection you are just one more step closer to being a slave.

      Report Post »  
    • stopspendingourmoney
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 3:35pm

      I live in Utah, and have shot all my life I have shot thousands of rounds and have yet to start a fire. the people are shooting those exploding targets that’s what’s starting fires. Does anyone watch myth busters? there was an episode that they try to shoot a gas tank to see if it would explode, like in the movies, they could not get it to even start on fire let alone explode, they shot everything at it even tracer rounds and it would not ignite, it’s not that easy to start a fire with a gun, people are just over exaggerating this like usual, the news people here are idiots every time there is a fire they are like was it a gun? it was probably a gun, uuurrrgggg!!! it really ticks me off, if there is a civil war or a collapse in this country, the gun hating morons are going to be the first to get overrun and killed by the bad guys they are just too dumb to realize it.

      Report Post »  
    • Revelation99
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 6:10pm

      Did they ban catalytic converters then MILS? They are dangerous, start fires, and are a public safety concern. See the parallel? It‘s always convenient to beat on the 2nd amendment but the logic doesn’t hold true for any other subject. Going after ammunition, the right to carry, the right to shoot, etc. is the same as going after the 2A itself.

      Report Post » Revelation99  
    • shouldbcampin
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:05pm

      We’ve had two more wild fires since this story broke. Are they caused by target shooters? Likely not, but they are human caused because we’ve had no lighting or rain. It is 98 degrees and 10 % humidity. People who don‘t live here don’t get how dry the high desert is or how flammable. Most of the state has already canceled fireworks displays and made it illegal to shoot off your own fireworks. Someone mentioned campfires, not allowed in most areas either. It‘s not like target shooting is the only thing they are saying you can’t do in dry areas.

      Report Post »  
    • mikem1969
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:54pm

      I have been target shooting for a long time, and never once did it start a fire. I have shot on dry days, wet days, and in between days, and no fires were started, now I always shot at wooden or paper targets with bails of hay and some other backing materials to stop the bullets, and hay is dry as a bone and burns real easy, but still no fires. Again, this is government over reach and it needs to stop.

      Report Post »  
    • Rampart
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:35am

      Hey Moron Government—Why not just punish the specific fools that started the fire with firearms and leave the rest of us law-abiding, non-fire-starting citizens alone!?!

      Report Post » Rampart  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:40am

    Uh, NO! utah, of all places!

    Hey, you “jack wagons”, read our CONSTITUTION, now!

    Report Post »  
    • liberty_for_all
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:35am

      Why don’t people understand how serious this fire issue is? The 2nd Amendment gives us the right to keep and bear arms, not to shoot them whenever and wherever we want. The local laws are being set to keep from starting fires. Utah is so dry right now. It is said that 19 fires have been started this yr alone in Utah by firearms. There’s nothing wrong with a local jurisdiction setting appropriate gun laws to protect the public.

      Report Post »  
    • Nasado
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:41am

      Please inform me how this proposed ban is against the constitution? He is not taking away any guns, nor saying you can’t buy them, nor adding regulations for buying them making it harder, nor saying you can’t carry them. All he is saying is that you can’t fire them in some areas due to safety. Tell me, can you go to a mall parking lot and set up a arget and start shooting? What about at night when no one is there and there is no safety issue? What about in a building, or any public land? How is that any ifferent?

      Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:56am

      well grandma…you obviously haven’t lived through one of our fires caused by target shooting…that’s the only reason this has been brought up.
      Utah is well armed…probably more so than other states..HOWEVER,, we have just as many idiots that are “asked and asked and asked” NOT to target shoot in the dry grassy regions..AND THEY GO RIGHT AHEAD AND DO AS THEY’RE ASKED NOT TO DO AND START FIRES…so come on out, you can stand in the middle of one of these fires and see how you like it.

      Report Post »  
    • stopspendingourmoney
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 4:17pm

      liberty_for_all…. Yeah, its because they shooting targets like this numb nuts!!!ban these targets, not the shooting. and 19 started fires? thats news to me, I have heard one fire has been started by shooting and I live here in Utah. read my other post..http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6FpdHTzJFyA

      Report Post »  
  • olfart
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:39am

    Many military surplus rifle bullets have copper plated steel jacket material. Armor piercing rifle bullets have a steel core. (Yes, armor piercing ammo is readily available on the surplus ammo market.) Either way, when steel hits rock, sparks result. So yes, target shooting CAN start wildfires. How common it would be is a matter of conjecture.

    Report Post »  
    • reloader7.62
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:04am

      Actually your are mostly correct with the exception of the steel core ammo being AP,The vast majority of the steel core surplus ammo is mild steel and is used as the bullet core filler instead of lead because steel core ammo is cheaper to produce than lead. The mild steel core ammo however does not penetrate steel targets anymore effectively than standard steel jacket lead core ammo. I see individuals confusing steel core ammo with true AP ammo all the time,it’s simply just two different type of projectiles all together. You are correct thought that the steel jacket bullet can cause a sparks if they strike the correct type of rock,it’s no different that using a striker type fire starter tool.

      Report Post » reloader7.62  
    • rayne
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:30am

      Re: “How common would it be?”

      I heard about twenty fires this year have started in Utah due to target shooting. If that’s true, then it may have moved out of the realm of conjecture.

      Our Governor Herbert is a good guy. I’ll support him on this. Why people can’t go to a normal target range is beyond me. It’s not like we have a shortage of ranges in Utah, is it? I’m not a recreational shooter, so I admit that I don’t know. But come on people, how hard is it to NOT start a fire?

      Report Post »  
    • Revelation99
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:15pm

      Exactly Highcarry. Let’s ban cigarettes, catalytic converters, lighters, bar b ques, fireworks, light bulbs, fireflies, and flippin’ pixie dust. All of those things are obviously dangerous and pose a threat to public safety.

      How long will it take people to realize freedom isn’t lost in one large swoop, it is given away for our safety tiny bits at a time. First they came for…

      Report Post » Revelation99  
  • inthealpine
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:36am

    Try and ban target shooting and you will have 50% more people target shooting just to spite government. I doubt normal rounds could start a fire. I think mythbusters couldn’t get a gas tank to to ignite with normal rounds.
    That being said what ever happened to just asking citizens? Can’t the government just ask citizens to limit target shooting and stay away from heavy dry vegetation?

    Report Post »  
    • Choctaw25
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:01am

      Yes they could, but you know us dumb as* conservatives, we’ll take offense at it and we will over react, by going out and target practicing in the dryest area we can find, just to prove everyone wrong. Then up jumps the rabbit and that one in a trillion Murphy’s Law shot starts a forest fire and we are reliving Colorado all over again.
      We conservatives can’t see the forest for the trees and NEVER look at the Big Picture. If you haven’t had enough target practicing already, to get you through the dry forest season, you really shouldn’t own a Gun in the first place, IMHO. I know that the odds of ME starting a forest fire as about as good as ME winning the lottery, but sooner or later SOMEONE wins that lottery, can we say COLORADO FIRES.
      It doesn’t matter if Mother Nature started them with lightning strikes or a spark from a person target practicing, their homes and lives have been destroyed.
      SO, until we get some needed rain and the danger passes, I’ll stick to the indoor ranges.

      Report Post » Choctaw25  
  • Mike Westfall No Hiding
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:34am

    Its possible that a hot/smoking ejected casing could have started a fire in a very very rare instance at the dump that had some sort of fermented liquid that caught fire. Not sure and dont really care.

    Interesting the meeting is behind closed doors… Interesting that the ban was a blanket to unincorporated areas cause Im sure that a rock quary would be ready to ignite. No mention to that it may be lifted during non fire seasons.

    Just wait till Obama gets re-elected. He will use the EPA to ban lead bullets. Stock up while you can.

    http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/03/enviros-target-lead-bullets-again

    This is the second appeal. Like they say, 3rd time is a charm. Im sure though that they will mandate against the use of lead bullets but because the 2nd amendment can be trumped they will construe that the power to tax can be applied for those that don’t comply. eff U John Roberts!

    Report Post » Mike Westfall No Hiding  
  • Blazebanned
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:33am

    Most idiotic thing ive heard of since odumbass ran for prez……
    My advice to ALL politicians, stop trying to get my guns, either by regulation or legislation.As Beck says ,“ I WILL NOT COMPLY”.

    Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:01am

      they’re not “trying” to get your guns…we’re just trying to get people to go gun ranges right now…it is very very very dry here..and several grass fries have been started due to “target shooting in dry grassy areas” people don’t use common sense..especially kids…
      HELLO!!!…it’s a matter of not burning down houses, killing animals et c with the fires started by these fires AND WE HAVE MANY MANY SHOOTING RANGES that they can go to during this dry time

      Report Post »  
    • highcarry
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 2:37pm

      well then, how about outdoor grilling, mowing, smoking, no spark suppressors on cars and trucks, hammering nails(i’m a carpenter, i’ve seen that), welding, using electric power tools(look in the vents- you will see sparks) and on and on. but no, just guns.

      Report Post » highcarry  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:32am

    They can try.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:32am

    No they cant.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • Jrevelotis
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:31am

    I was personally evacuated from my home from a fire that started because of target shooting. I am 100% for the 2nd admendment…but shooting into brush that hasnt seen rain in months is dangerous and it threatens the safety of our homes and families. There are plenty of shooting ranges in Utah.

    Report Post »  
    • soysauce
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 1:01pm

      I’ve been a volunteer helping with the evacs, I agree with your statements. But all i hear is the blame being placed on target shooting. People going into the hillside with or without guns has no effect on their ability to start a fire imo. I would love to see someone take responsibility, or proof of the cuase. If there is a danger of fire from responsible target shooters, I certainly need to be educated. I feel the finger was pointed very fast at a very broad and variable sport.

      Report Post »  
    • UTANGCop
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 1:24pm

      At least two of the fires were called in by the target shooters who set the fires.

      Report Post »  
  • piper60
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:30am

    We need to restrict the politicians, not gun use.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • PrivateSectorContractor
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:22am

    I have yet to see a fire started by gun fire either hunting or target shooting. I would guess it was a careless smoker and not gun fire that starts a lot of the wild fires.

    Report Post » PrivateSectorContractor  
    • ICanComment
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:02am

      Yeah, I was going to say… How the heck do you ignite anything with a firearm? You can pick up brass right after firing and comfortably hold it in your hand. I suppose if you aimed the muzzle an inch away from gasoline… I’d have to see it to believe it.

      I have never heard of a fire breaking out this way. I’ve been to plenty of brush fires, none of which were started or even allegedly started by firearms…. and where I live plenty of people shoot out in the woods or in a field.

      Report Post »  
  • usmc1063
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:20am

    Soon the will be banning cutting the cheese for fear the methane will cause a fire.

    Report Post » usmc1063  
  • Uechi
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:20am

    Bull hockey. Are they going to ban cigarettes, motorcycles, automobiles ( catalytic conveerter) and any other possible source of a spark? I think not. It is just plain baloney and will do nothing to stop fires. I would bet that most fires come from batural sources and the rest from Pyromaniacs.

    Report Post »  
    • copatriots
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:05am

      Exactly, UECHI. You can add arson terrorists freely coming across the southern border to the list of those starting the fires……..

      Report Post »  
  • rahlquist
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:14am

    I think Mythbusters needs to debunk this one. I shoot paper targets all the time, I have yet to have one burst into flames. Unless some yutz was laying in 6″ tall grass firing a shotgun or they were using tracer rounds I would find starting a fire while shooting highly suspect at best.

    Report Post »  
    • stopspendingourmoney
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 4:30pm

      Myth busters could not get the gas tank to blow up or even start on fire, they even shot tracer rounds at it. And they did debunk it.

      Report Post »  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:09am

    Utah is correct. However, the Utah voters can also restrict lawmakers from another term in office. Win Win Situation!

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
  • justangry
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:08am

    Sounds hokey to me. I’ve never seen a fire started from target shooting. Besides, unless all other activities that could cause a spark (dirt bikes, camp fires, smoking…) are banned, I‘m going to believe it’s a ploy.

    Report Post » justangry  
    • shouldbcampin
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:16am

      Utah has one of the least restrictive gun laws in the country. We can open carry in Costco for heaven’s sake. This has to do with 21 fires caused by target shooting, not we guess it’s by target shooting but admitted by the shooters. We haven’t had rain in the entire month of June. Unless you live here, none of you commenters know of what you speak.

      Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:21am

      “Unless you live here, none of you commenters know of what you speak.”

      Technically speaking, unless your personally started one of those fires you spoke about, you have the exact same second-hand information that everyone else does. You read it or heard it from somewhere; you don’t “know of what you speak” more than anyone else.

      Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:51am

      Are ALL other activities that could possibly cause a spark banned as well?

      Report Post » justangry  
    • KSMMplusOne
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:18am

      My father-in-law started a fire last year target shooting here in Utah. It can happen. The dump fire mentioned in the story came with half a mile of my home. Utah is not trying to restrict guns. They are trying to save homes and lives. I am a strong supporter of the 2nd amendment but like it was mentioned earlier, you can’t just shoot where ever you want.

      Report Post »  
    • subic
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:34am

      Agreed, a ploy to add to the “guns are bad” liberal mindset.

      Report Post » subic  
    • stopspendingourmoney
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 4:52pm

      I live in Utah and I have shot thousands of rounds in weather just like this, and have yet to start a fire, its morons like you that think the government can dictate when we can shoot where we can shoot even if we can shoot at all. I guess we better ban catalytic converters, welding outside, barbecues, mowers, nail guns and anything else that can cause a spark, nope just guns..people like you are the problem in Utah, and why we are getting more of our rights taken away every day in the name of protecting ourselves from our self..

      Report Post »  
  • Stephen Markovich
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:07am

    How many by lightning or spontaneous combustion

    Report Post »  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:02am

    What kind of weapons are they using? Flame throwers? I Could see an issue with black powder,but………..

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • wakewiseone
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:09am

      what are they using?? probably tracer rounds which can start a fire.

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:31am

      I started a fire while shooting at a old car seat……. luckily I was able to put it out before it spread
      And I was shooting FMJ bullets. My guess is the steel in the seat sparked

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • soysauce
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 1:09pm

      @Republicorp
      Than you must have been using steel core or armor piercing rounds(which are illegal). when steel sparks, it is the steel that is burning, or rapidly oxidizing. To spark steel you need a material as or harder than it. FMJ’s are copper n lead to my knowledge, very very soft.

      Report Post »  
  • nostromo
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:59am

    One fire might have been caused by target shooting in a dump. Maybe. How many fires in how many years have been caused by target shooting? Talk about overreaction, governor. These people will never stop.

    Report Post »  
  • randy
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:58am

    http://www.examiner.com/article/al-qaeda-inspires-terrorists-on-how-to-set-wildfire-u-s

    Report Post » randy  
  • 6thdegreeblack
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:56am

    Restrict target shooting to prevent fires? “At least one fire started by shooting?”…. Interesting assumptions considering the real reasons for out of control forest fires are the fire prevention policies of the interior department that cause massive fuel build-ups to occur in the first place. Hello? Anyone home? Mother Nature has a way of seeking balance regardless of what mankind thinks… But you know politicians- they’re certainly proficient at finger pointing at anyone but themselves. It’s hardly the fault of 2nd amendment adherents.

    DEEP BOW (eyes up)

    Report Post » 6thdegreeblack  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:54am

    They should also ban breathing, because anyone who has ever breathed has eventually died…..when are we gona wake up and start takin these bastards out…….

    Report Post »  
    • kickagrandma
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:03am

      Good morning, DETROIT~~~

      This little old lady is thinking the same thing.

      Report Post »  
    • Want our country back
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:09am

      Ban breathing, HELL NO, with obamacare, they’re going to tax it, whether you use it or not.LOL

      Report Post » Want our country back  
  • randy
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:49am

    At least one recent fire was apparently started by shooting, which adds fuel to the proposal to ban the practice in specified areas.

    PROVE IT!

    Report Post » randy  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:46am

    I can see some of the good points in this for long range safety, but for heaven’s sake, don’t give the libs more leads that they can and will expand on.

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • Want our country back
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:46am

    I would think that I’d start with cleaning the underbrush….. I forgot we have environmental wacko’s dictating policy…

    Report Post » Want our country back  
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