Stray shot kills US camper as he toasts marshmallows

Published: July 10, 2015

While debate continues around the rights and wrongs of allowing hunting in some Australian national parks, a tragedy in America has highlighted the dangers that guns can bring.

A 60-year-old grandfather was toasting marshmallows over a campfire with his grandchildren when he was struck and killed by a wayward bullet.

Glenn Martin was camping with his family in Pike National Forest in the state of Colorado when the tragedy occurred.

His daughter, Carlie, told Colorado’s 11 News that her dad was just sitting in his campchair when a wonderful family experience turned into a nightmare.

“He just went down and said, ‘Ow,’, she said. “”Roasting marshmallows one minute, the next minute you just … blood. It’s not supposed to be like that.”

Apparently, gunshots had been heard in the area throughout the day. Carlie said they reported it to forest rangers and thought it had been taken care of. She told 11 News they didn’t hear any more gunshots until the moment her dad was hit.

According to police, it was likely an ‘errant’ bullet that killed the grandfather. They told 11 News that they were yet to determine how far away the shot was fired from, but do know it was fired from a high-powered rifle. They believe it is possible that the shooter still does not know what they have done.

  • Do you think limited hunting should be allowed in national parks? Comment below.

 

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Hell no! We need to learn from the travesty that is the USA experience. No guns in national parks.

No guns in national parks at all
it makes no sense
this is not Yankee land yet

….”I love a gun free country,
a land of sweeping plains,
of rugged mountain ranges,
where no fear of being shot reigns”……

Tragic but who is going to cull the wild dogs, pigs and wild cats and other vermin that are killing our native animals and birds in large numbers if you ban responsible shooting in National Parks.

Ken, have they (gov’t depts.) stopped using the 1080 baits for controlling the vermin in National Parks, or has the wild vermin built up an immunity against them?

Robyn: From my experience 1080 is indiscriminate and harms animals and fauna other than the targeted vermin.

Many landowners whose properties adjoin National Parks are hamstrung by the fact that dingoes/wild dogs/cats and pigs etc that cause mayhem on their properties by night will retreat back to the sanctuary of the NP by the day.

Responsible shooters are far more efficient.

If vermin have to be shot, then close the park at certain times of the year for a period of time. Only way to manage it.

Bernies you are correct vermin do need to be controlled annually at least, so the only safe option is to close the parks at certain times and do it safely

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