HAMMER-TYPE SHOTGUNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23994, 18 June 1941, Page 8

HAMMER-TYPE SHOTGUNS

WARNING OF DANGER (0.C.) HASTINGS, Tuesday

"The using ol firearms is always dangerous, no matter how experienced a person may lie, and when it comes to youths using cheap guns, the danger is so much greater," said tho district coroner, Mr. G. Fbbett, J.P., when he concluded two inquests at Hastings on the deaths of Ralph Allan Podersen, aged 15, of l.'akowhai, and lan Osborne

DuncTm, aged 18. of Havelock North. A verdict that death was due to the accidental discharge of a shotgun was returned in each case.

The danger of using hammer-type shotguns, even when new, because of their being liable to discharge without being cocked or without, the trigger being pulled, was stressed in a statement from an arms expert during the inquest on Pedor.sen. His evidence showed that the hammer type of shotgun was a prolific cause of shooting accidents, because the movements of the hammers could be effected in so many diflvreu', ways and because these dangers were unknown to the great majority of users.

"Wide publicity has been given to the dangerous nature of the hammer shotgun, which has been publiclv condemned by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E Parry," added the expert, "but still these accidents occur with consistent regularity. 1 recommend that, if this old firearm is surrendered to the Polieo Department, il lie destroyed."