Irresponsible use of fireamis undoubtedly adds fuel to arguments of those favoring tight gun controls – something heavily opposed here in the West. A couple of gun incidents here in Utah County last weekend can be classified in that category and can only be viewed as deplorable. On Saturday, someone believed to be deer hunting, put a bullet in a helicopter near the campground just off the Squaw Peak Trail at the head of Rock Canyon, narrowly missing a passenger and a fuel cell.
And that same afternoon there were two reported incidents of people apparently shooting at a Rio Grande passenger train in Spanish Fork Canyon. In this case, according to initial reports being investigated by sheriff’s officers, shots were fired from two different vehicles – a light – colored Dodge pickup and a yellow Volkswagen. Insofar as had been determined when this was written, no “hits” were known to have been made.
In the helicopter incident, according to officers, a helicopter pilot and two passengers had just taken off from the campground area and climbed some 250 feet when the pilot felt a thump. When he landed he found a bullet hole. Had the shot struck in a slightly different spot, it might have hit a passenger or the fuel tank. Both incidents are under investigation. It is hoped in the future those who carry arms – whether to hunt or otherwise – will use better judgment.