BOYS WITH AIR-GUNS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18322, 12 February 1923, Page 9

BOYS WITH AIR-GUNS.

A DANGEROUS WEAPON.

EPISODE IN DUNEDIN.

Some interesting statements in regard to the danger of air rifles were made in the Juvenile Court, Dunedin, when two boys, aged 12 years and nine years respectively," were charged with being unlawfully in possession of firearms. The elder lad was further charged with discharging an air rifle to the danger of one, William Preedy. Both boys pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Eccles stated that on January 15 the two defendants went to the gardens to shoot birds. A quarrel arose with some other boys, and after crossing the creek the elder defendant fired two shots at Preedy, both taking effect on® in the face and the other in the ankle. There was a prosecution , coming on shortly in which a man was struck in the face by a shot from one of these guns. The Magistrate: I think ' the mischief should be scotched at its source is to say, at the places where these- guns 'are sold. As long as they are freely exposed for sale I can quite understand parents buying them as toys for their children. The Sub-Inspector: We have brought this prosecution to ■ give' the : matter publicity, and also to show the shopkeepers that they are liable under the Act. ' In giving judgment the magistrate said that air-guns were very dangerous weapons to be in the hands of children. A case had recently occurred in the North Island where they had caused a man the loss of an eye. He could quite understand parents not appreciating the fact that children under 16 were not entitled to have them, and the best thing would be to prohibit their sale altogether, as they were not likely to be wanted by persons over 16 years of age. The legislation should be amended in that direction. The defendants would be admonished and the guns for-, ieited. -' * * . " • v • • .