Nobody wants a wildfire, and Sen. Margaret Dayton’s attempt to curtail fires by allowing the state forester to limit target shooting on public land during times of high fire danger is well intentioned. Unfortunately, it’s not fair.

Dayton introduced SB120 to make clear that the forester can restrict shooting under certain conditions — not a bad idea. But what’s missing in the bill is equal treatment of all recreational land users. Why restrict shooting while allowing other activities that pose a fire danger to continue — ATV riding, for instance? There have been many instances where heat or sparks from a motor vehicle have ignited a wildfire.

Dayton, who has been gun-friendly in the past, withdrew SB120 under pressure from gun groups who complained that it was an anti-gun bill. And in the form it began, it was. In Utah, only about 2 percent of fires were shooting-related.

Dayton has brought the bill back, but it still needs to be fixed so that all Utahns are treated the same. SB120 should allow the state forester to control use of public lands on an equal-opportunity basis — whether that means shooting, ATVs or family barbecues. One recreation group should not be singled out. If there’s a genuine fire hazard, all risky activities should be curtailed.

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