ok, the meeting was started under the assumption that no decisions have been mde already. This may or may not be true but the different rangers coordinating this definatly have opinions on what should be done.

timeline for this is between 12 and 18 months the rules will change. There will be time a public comment after the initial enviromental report and proposed changes are made.

These were the primary issues that need to be adressed:
firearms complaints are the #1 complaint type recieved by the FS.
The front range forests are the most heavily used forest in the nation.
the forest along the front range is nowhere near continuous. many private holdings within. Many unmarked.
How do we (FS and shooters) educate people about the regs. make people not leave trash. not shoot trees. etc.

No good solutions were presented. most/all attendees were shooters. If I had to guess, I forsee designated shooting areas with signs around them for when hikers approach. It was made very clear that these areas would need to be large, >2mi diameter.

If you own a class3 weapon, definatly write to remind the FS that those types of weapons are legal and should not be prohibited. they could easily be overlooked.

my opinions:
there is no way to educate irresponsable people and make them care. they'll ignore the regs anyway. the rest of us don't need these regs but will be punished anyway.
fine/penalty for littering (shooting and LEAVING) trash or targets should be extreme. perhaps second or third offense extreme enough to revoke fireams rights. same with shooting at trees.