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.

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