Firearms need extra care

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32994, 14 August 1972, Page 16

Firearms need extra care

One of the main fields of education in which the Canterbury Mountains Safety Committee is involved is safety with firearms.

Many accident are caused through carelessness or ignorance about firearms.

A disturbing fact is that many of the accidents caused needlessly could have been avoided if the five basic rules for safety had been observed. They are: Treat every firearm as loaded until checked, and ensure that the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction. Load the magazine—not the chamber—only when the hunting ground is reached. Use half-open bolt or action when in state of semireadiness and be careful where the muzzle is pointing. Idenify the target beyond all doubt before taking the irrevocable action of firing. Assess the firing zone before and beyond the target, and check the whereabouts of hunting companions.

This set of rules was drawn up in 1968 when a firearms tuition scheme was introduced. Under this scheme, an applicant for a rifle permit is referred from the Police Department to a civilian instructor.

The instructors are qualified by means of firearms

courses conducted by regional committees of the National Mountain Safety Council, together with courses in methods of instruction. The person’s experience is taken into consideration before he is appointed as an instructor. A person requiring a permit will be given practical instruction in safety procedures and correct firearm handling. The five basic rules will be explained carefully. When the student appears to have sufficient knowledge and confidence, he will be given a questionnaire, which is divided into three parts. To qualify for a Certificate of Competence, he must be able to answer 16 of the questions correctly. With the increasing instruction given through this method of testing and training, it is hoped that there will be better handling of rifles in future, leading to a reduction in the number of firearm accidents. Some casualties with rifles and pistols are caused by faulty machinery. Sometimes they have been maintained poorly; sometimes parts are worn and the owner has failed to notice this.

Last year, one-third of firearms accidents were attributed to rifles in unsatisfactory condition.

Figures released by the Police show that there were 49 fatal and 47 non-fatal accidents with firearms last year. Of these, 44 were inexperienced with firearms and 73 were not members of a gun club. Of the causes, 12 involved liquor, 26 were from leaving a firearm loaded, five occurred when a loaded firearm was removed from a vehicle, and four were caused when crossing a fence or ditch. The .22 rifle was involved in 49 accidents, larger calibres accounted for 22 accidents and shotguns were involved 22 times.

One of the greatest problems is when rifles and arms are left loaded around the home. Last year, 19 accidents involved children under the age of 15 years, and 60 of the reported accidents happened in the home. Do you leave your rifle or shotgun loaded where it is in the reach of children? Rifles and ammunition should be kept in separate locations and locked securely out of the reach of children. If the five basic rules of safety are followed, there should be no need for the number of unnecessary deaths and injuries caused every year through the misuse of firearms.