My grandaughter, Megan Ripley, is dead because a hunter, who used poor judgment, was not required to ask permission to hunt on my son’s land. Megan would not have been in the woods if her dad had given permission for someone to be hunting nearby.

Trapping, riding all-terrain vehicles and cutting Christmas trees have laws that require getting permission from the landowner. These activities all involve the inconvenience of contacting multiple landowners. How can carrying a loaded gun with the intent to shoot not warrant at least as much consideration for the landowner?

Is protecting pets, trees and trails more important than protecting humans?

Many of our representatives in Augusta are reluctant to sponsor any kind of legislation to require hunters to ask permission from landowners. I have contacted as many representatives as I can but they don’t act until they hear from many people. When I consider second layers of safety (seatbelts as well as brakes, flashing lights as well as train whistles), having to ask permission should not be a problem for anyone.

What would it feel like, knowing that if permission had been sought, even a momentary lapse of judgment would not cause a death? Would anyone still feel it too difficult to have to ask?

It’s outrageous that people who have the power to change the law don’t want to do it.

Margery Ripley, South Paris