Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Deerstalkers' Association Endorses Prison Sentence for Mears

Deerstalkers' Association Endorses Prison Sentence for Andrew Mears

2 February 2011

The New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association endorses the 2.5 year prison term handed down to Hamilton man Andrew Mears, in the High Court at Rotorua this afternoon.

NZDA national president Alec McIver believes the judge fairly and clearly arrived at a custodial sentence, though the defence clearly wished to see a sentence of home detention imposed on Mr Mears.

Mr Mears' lack of regard for his DOC permit and for the basic firearms rules he was expected to know when he gained his firearms licence, were noted and considered to be grave and contributing factors by the judge. The judge called Mears conduct 'a stupid act'; NZDA can do nothing but agree.

'We are pleased the judge has taken such breaches of a DOC permit and of the arms code into account,' says Mr McIver.

NZDA also acknowledges and endorses the judge's view that this sentence should not be considered a benchmark for any other cases where hunters are charged with manslaughter. NZDA understands this is the first case of its kind in recent years, and expects the judiciary, the police and the parliament of New Zealand to work harder to secure safer provisions in the Crimes and Arms Acts, so that ambiguities around charges and sentences do not occur again, as they did in this case.

NZDA is concerned to see that Mears' accomplices have not been charged and urges the police to secure and lay informations on them promptly. Letting them off will send a tragic message to those who love the outdoors, and who expect to be able to use it safely without the stupid acts of men like Andrew Mears and his associates.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

NZDA is appalled at the defence lawyer's suggestion in his submission this afternoon that Mr Mears' actions amounted to 'buck fever'.

We record here that such a flippant and inaccurate reference to this tragic stupidity, in no way resembles buck fever to decent law-abiding hunters who read permits, shoot only during daylight hours, and use firearms correctly.

Buck fever for the record is defined by the American Heritage Registered Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Ed 2000, as:

'Nervous excitement felt by a novice hunter at the first sight of game.'

We respectfully suggest such was in no way part of the impulse, ignorance and idiocy demonstrated by Mr Mears.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.