Just to post an update, the State Forester doesn't have the authorization to ban target shooting in National Forests, so those areas are still open to enjoy your guns. Just please remember to pack out your trash plus some (including brass) if you see it up there. We don't want our forests to look like it does west of Utah Lake.

I agree with Nytefire. Have the authorities done ANY testing to see how easy or difficult it is to start a fire using a steel-core or jacketed bullet? Or are taking a guess that is probably wrong? What if they shot 1000 such bullets at a rock that was COVERED in tinder--how many fires do you think they would be able to start ON PURPOSE? I would be surprised if they even got ONE fire to start that way. Heck, the Boy Scouts have CONTESTS to see who can start a fire by making sparks, and they have to try, really hard, to get one to start and stay lit. So I am skeptical about the "magic bullet" theory.

The authorities are blaming 21 Utah fires on shooting. One they know was exploding targets, and the others the -claim- were caused by bullets striking rocks. 21 fires would be 2% of the total wildfires this year. These fires did start where people were target shooting, but I think it could just as easily been caused by a stray cigarette or hot exhaust. Both steel-core bullets and exploding targets were already banned, and lead can't cause sparks... So why the unnecessary ban infringing on our rights? I for one will NEVER vote for GOV. Hebert again.