Response to Coroner's firearms safety recommendations
Response to Coroner Wallace Bain's firearms safety recommendations
Coroner Wallace Bain’s recommendations released earlier this month highlights the importance of the seven basic principles to firearms safety and is a timely reminder to users. Especially as hunters all over the country are preparing themselves and their gear in readiness for the start of the “roar”.
Firearms Safety Specialists director Nicole McKee agrees with the Coroner’s recommendation that safe use and handling education be promoted to all users. “Experienced volunteer firearms instructors have educated and promoted many of the Coroner’s recommendations over the decades.”
McKee
goes on to say that “The Arms Code has just been updated
with the 2017 version going to print now.” She comments
that “the seven basic rules are effective and cover all
situations.” The seven rules are taught and applicants are
tested as part of getting a firearms licence. It is obvious
to us that most adhere to the “best practice
recommendations made in the code and taught in the rules.
New Zealand’s non-intentional firearms incidents rates are
very low considering there are nearly quarter of a million
licence holders. “You cannot legislate ideal decision
making processes in a hunting situation, but you can educate
it” says
McKee.