CARE OF GUNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23338, 5 May 1939, Page 13

CARE OF GUNS

Sir, —Now that the shooting season is about to commence, I feel sure a few words of advice to the sportsmen will not be out of place. To the young sportsman, taking his first duck "hunt, this advice will serve as a caution. To the "old hand," whose familiarity with the gun has bred that air of contempt, this will serve as a reminder. (1) Never grasp the gun by the nnizzle when taking it out of the car. Unknown to you the gun might hare been left loaded. (2) "When in the boat point the muzzle of the gun away from you. Lay the gun flat on the floor of the boat, so that, when the «boat is pushed off. the jar will not cause the" gun to fall and discharge accidentally. (3). Never point a gun toward another person—loaded or unloaded. (4) Make sure the gun is "safety cocked"; better yet. when on a long jaunt, removo the shells. (5) If possible, don't walk single file. You can't shoot anything in front of you without endangering the life of the person ahead. (6) When climbing fences put your gun over first. Make sure the muzzle is pointing away from you when you are doing this. (7) When cleaning the gun, empty it, then take it apart. It is the only way you could do a good job and a safe one. (8) Don't play with the dogs when you have a gun in your hand. Dogs hare been known to leap up in a sudden burst of affection for the master and their claws to touch off the triggers, bringing death to the one they loved. Hohepa M. Meha.