Firearm safety

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33093, 7 December 1972, Page 16

Firearm safety

Sir, —Gun safety is a prominent issue with the police and other public bodies. I am appalled by the manner in which rifles are handled in court rooms. While recently attending the court I saw a detective-sergeant, a court clerk, and two magistrates all handle weapons dangerously. These weapons were pointed in all directions, at the public, including myself, and at other people in the room. The rifles had no doubt been checked, but none of the bolts had been removed, and surely this is one of the major safety rules.—Yours, etc., (Miss) J. A. BELL. November 30, 1972.

[Chief Superintendent G. Tait replies: “We agree that it is a wise precaution when handling firearms never to point the muzzle in the direction of another person and to ensure that the bolt or action is Open. In this case it was important to present to the court this weapon in the state it was in at the time of the shooting. Those who handled the weapon no doubt wished to satisfy themselves as to its state. It had been checked before its being produced in court.”]