This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2005, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
"Super Dell" Schanze - a self-proclaimed gun rights activist and a computer store magnate - was charged Tuesday with brandishing a gun during an altercation between him and a group of Draper residents May 21.
Witnesses told police they saw Schanze driving east along Draper's Steep Mountain Drive at speeds of up to 75 mph, according to the charges. Three residents hopped in their cars and followed Schanze to the Point of the Mountain Paragliding Park, where they confronted him about his driving. As the argument grew, one of the residents grabbed a rock and threatened to smash the taillights of Schanze's black Jaguar, the charges state.
A concealed weapon permit holder, Schanze then drew a handgun from his front pants pocket and pointed it at one of his accusers, according to a criminal complaint filed in 3rd District Court. The man with the rock called 911, according to Draper police.
Schanze faces one class A misdemeanor count of threatening with, or using a dangerous weapon in a fight or quarrel, and a class B misdemeanor count of reckless driving.
On May 21, Schanze told police he did not brandish his weapon, but Tuesday he acknowledged to The Salt Lake Tribune that he had made his pursuers aware he had a gun. He said use of the gun during the confrontation was warranted for the safety of himself and his 8-year-old daughter who was with him.
"They decided to be really nice once they knew I was armed. Their whole personalities changed. It was amazing," Schanze said.
Draper police officers arrived at the park to find Schanze surrounded by residents. Police recovered a Glock 10 mm handgun from the front pocket of his pants and found another gun strapped to his leg.
Prosecutors filed the charges after interviewing more than 12 people about the incident, five of whom testified about Schanze's alleged reckless driving.
But Schanze maintains his innocence.
"This was a very simple case of freakin' psycho road ragers," Schanze said. "They didn't like how I was driving and they came after me."
Schanze declined to discuss the events that led up to the altercation but said he thought the situation ended peacefully.
"No shots were fired. We had no issues after that," Schanze said.
The filing of charges Tuesday came as a surprise. Schanze had expected police to pursue a criminal complaint against his assailants.
"It's just astronomically, ludicrously insane to tell the community that it's not OK to defend yourself," he said.
In addition to owning a string of computer stores, Schanze owns a gun store, shooting range and flying sports outfit. An avid paraglider, Schanze frequents the gliding park at the south end of the Salt Lake Valley, which is where he was headed when he was confronted.
If convicted of the charges, Schanze could lose his concealed weapons permit.