I am a veteran patrol sergeant of Montezuma County Sheriff's Department, and through the years hundreds of times I advised people “I am sorry there is not much we can do.”

On April 18, my daughter and her boyfriend (whose father is also a veteran patrolman from New Mexico) were out driving near Loma when the back windshield of their car was shot out by a stray bullet. The Mesa County deputy arrived to only advise: “There is not much we can do.”

I completely understand the position of the deputy, however, as a parent I feel there is something I must do!

My daughter and her boyfriend are both students at Mesa State; both have been well instructed on the safety of firearms and both hold a healthy respect believing there is no such thing as an unloaded firearm. They are both aware of the distance a bullet can travel.

While I cried and remained on my knees thanking God these two lives were spared, I became outraged realizing someone out there with a firearm was being very STUPID (not a word I typically use).

Parents, please supervise your children when they are using firearms; children, please supervise your parents when they are using a firearm! Please realize bullets travel a fair distance; be mindful of what is around you, and although you may be in the desert or out in the country, many things are within the range of a stray bullet. Please use common sense when using a firearm, please don't be STUPID!

For the person who was shooting near county road 14 and Hwy. 6 & 50 that day, you nearly killed these two very bright, very beautiful, very talented young people!