Police Warn Hunters To Take Care

MEDIA RELEASE
April 30, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Police Warn Hunters To Take Care

Police are urging duck-shooters to take special care during the new shooting season, which starts on Tuesday (eds: May 1).

Inspector Joe Green, who is in charge of firearms licensing at the Police Commissioner’s Office, says while accidents involving firearms are few in number, they are tragic for both victim, shooter and their families.

“Anyone planning to go duck-shooting should think about safety before they go out onto the water,” he said.

“Most of them will stay out there for hours. It’s important that they keep their concentration levels up and remember they’re in control of a potentially lethal weapon.”

Four people were shot last year in hunting accidents on the water and in the bush.

The most common mistakes were guns discharging accidentally while the firearm owner was on the move, and people pulling the trigger without clearly checking their firing zone first.

Duck-shooters should keep their firearms unloaded at all times except when they were ready to fire, and make sure their gun was unloaded before they put it away, he said.

“We want people to enjoy their sporting activities, but they need to remember that firearms are very dangerous unless they’re used properly.”

Those using firearms should always be conscious about taking extreme care, but others going into duck-shooting areas also needed to reduce the risk of becoming an accident victim.

“Whether you are a duckshooter or a walker planning a trip near the water, you should wear colours that mean you are clearly identifiable.”

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