USE OF AIR GUNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 6

USE OF AIR GUNS.

A DANGEROUS PRACTICE. NEESON, January 17. “The police have had quite a number' of complaints about boys using airguns during the holiday season,” remarked Plain Clothes Constable Hall in the' Juvenile Court to-day when two lads were charged with assaulting other lads by firing air rifles at them. “It seems to be the custom of parents about Christmas time,” added the police representative, “to buy airguns for their children without seeming to realise they are committing an offence.” The evidence showed that pellets from an airgtrn struck the lads aimed at, but did not inflict any injury to speak of. In answer to the magistrate the defendants said they did not realise the seriousness of what they were doing. The Magistrate remarked that this showed how essential it was that the law should be strictly enforced. Irresponsible vouths like those before him were a menace to the community. In answer to the magistrate, Plain Clothes Constable Hall said that no serious injury was inflicted, but if the pellets had struck a vital spot the parents of the accused jnight have had to pay heavy damages. There was an instance on record where the father of a lad had to pay £2OO or £3OO compensation. Each of the lads was fined £3. On a further charge of unlawfully using airguns the informations were dismissed. The man who s<.ld the airgun to one of the lads, aged 15 years and nine months, was fined £1 and costs (7s). In answer to the magistrate he said he did not doubt for a moment that the lad was over 16 years of age.