Children’s Toys Were Lethal

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31112, 15 July 1966, Page 3

Children’s Toys Were Lethal

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 14. The Minister of Police (Mr Allen) said in Parliament tonight that his department had examined at least four weapons, sometimes sold as children’s toys, which were lethal.

“There is a great danger of some of these innocent-looking toys turning out to be lethal,” he said. Mr Allen said the Police Department would introduce new firearms permit forms which would clearly define and explain the public's responsibilities.

Mr Allen opened the second reading debate on the Arms Amendment Bill. Mr Allen said the bill included new sections which would affect many New Zealanders. Clause four made two new offences the first of which was causing bodily injury or death by carelessly using a firearm. Tbis offence would apply where a hunter fired at another man, mistaking him for an animal. The second was where a person in charge of a firearm left the gun in such circumstances that It could endanger lue. This would apply where a loaded firearm was left in reach of a child. At present, charges of this nature were laid under the general term of manslaughter, and it would be better to have a separate charge altogether for this offence. The offences cited would be punishable by three months’ imprisonment or a fine of £lOO, the same penalties as for the careless driving of a vehicle causing death. Mr H. L. J. May (Opp., Porirua) asked if the Minister thought putting penalties into the act would help the situation. Most accidents with guns involved children. He thought education in care with firearms was better than penalties. “I would think it is going to mean quite a lot of litigation where these unfortunate accidents occur to find where the blame lies,” he said.