Revolver in Theatre

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 8

Revolver in Theatre

15 YEAR-OLD BOY’S ACTION From Our Own Correspondent. HASTINGS, March 6. The fact that a boy of 15 had been in possession of a defective .22 calibre revolver, which he had taken with him to the pictures and loaned to other boys, was revealed in a session of the Children’s Court, at Napier, this morning, when he was charged with being unlawfully in possession of the firearm. He was admonished and discharged by Mr J. Miller, S.M. , Detective-Sergeant H. Nuttall told the court that the revolver had belonged to the boy’s grandfather, and had been in possession of his father for some time. He had taken it and procured ammunition for it, and during the time he had it had taken it to the pictures and lent it to other boys. He was the bnly one charged, however, as he was looked upon as being directly responsible. The revolver was in a defective condition, and for that reason was more dangerous than if it were in proper order, for it was liable to go off when not expected to do so. In reply to the magistrate he said there was no evidence to show it had been loaded when taken to the pictures.

When questioned why he had taken it with him to the theatre the boy said he did not really know. He had fired it off on one occasion at the breakwater at night, but it was not loaded when he took it to the pictures. f Detective-Sergeant Nuttall: There is no suggestion that there is anything behind it, no suggestion that it was carried for any sinister purpose. The bench: It seems more like a thoughtless act. Detective-Sergeant Nuttall: Yes, I think these things are induced by the pictures these boys see. The defendant was admonished and discharged, and an order made for the confiscation of the revolver.