WARNING TO PARENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26177, 13 June 1946, Page 3

WARNING TO PARENTS

CHILDREN WITH FIREARMS A boy, under the age of 16 years, appeared before the magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle) this week for being in possession of a firearm and for assault, It appeared that several boys were walking along a roadway when they were fired on from an air-gun, pellets hitting various parts of their clothing. One pellet hit and penetrated one boy's eye, with the result that he has probably lost the use of it. Mr Bundle pointed out the danger of children having air rifles, and the fact that some people were under the impression that it was not an offence for a person under 16 years of age to have possession of an air rifle. An air rifle was a firearm, and permission must be obtained from the police before any person could have possession of one. The child welfare officer and the magistrate took a serious view of the fact that many air rifles were in the possession of children, and said it was amazing how few parents realised that children had not the right to have air rifles. “ The case.” said Mr Bundle, "is one of many examples where a child has been maimed for life through these dangerous weapons.” The boy was placed under the supervision ot the child welfare officer for a period of six months.