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| August 29, 2017 1:00 AM

On a recent backpacking trip our peace was violently disturbed by the sound of gunshots ricocheting between the mountain walls. Physically shaking I approached the shooters, a group of young day hikers. I expressed my concern only to receive a lecture that this is N-Idaho and they have the right to shoot anywhere and I don’t have to be concerned as it is safe to shoot across the lake. Several of my kids open carry, but they do so with a sense of responsibility and respect, and target shoot in a designated place. There were camping spots across the lake and climbers were coming down from the mountain, both invisible to the shooters. Bullets can ricochet off the surface of water as well as off rocks and go quite far. At this time of the year there is a high fire alert and bullets can cause sparks that can cause smoldering fires. Besides the actual danger, random shooting around a lake with known campgrounds constitutes a nuisance if nothing else. Like the game warden we met on our way out mentioned, we have the right to use guns but we do not have the right to be stupid.

GABRIELLE DUEBENDORFER

Sandpoint