Safety should be priority for all duck shooters this season

17 April 2012

Safety should be a priority for all duck shooters this season, says Mountain Safety Council

Shooting enthusiasts are gearing up for this year’s duck season, one of the highlights of the New Zealand shooting calendar which commences annually on the first Saturday in May.

However each season there are reported incidents which involve the careless use of shotguns says Mike Spray, Firearms Safety and Hunter Training Programme Manager for the Mountain Safety Council. Tragically many of these incidents result in serious injury and even death which was the case last year when a Waiuku man died after being shot while out duck shooting.

Mr Spray said that all incidents could have been avoided if duck shooters had maintained responsible shooting behaviours and followed the Firearms Safety Code which comprises of seven basic and common sense rules of firearms safety.

Mr Spray stated that it is extremely unsafe to point a firearm at anyone. “Whether your firearm is loaded or unloaded you should always maintain control of the muzzle direction and never point the shotgun at anyone else including yourself,” urged Mr Spray.

Maintaining a safe muzzle direction is especially critical when using a semi-automatic shotgun. Some shooters tend to leave the shotgun loaded and use the safety catch whilst in the maimai or shooting area.

“Shooters should never rely on the safety catch as it is mechanical and can malfunction,” said Mr Spray. “Have the safety catch checked by a qualified gunsmith prior to the season opening,” he added.

Mr Spray went on to say that shooters should always unload their shotgun completely before they leave their hunting area as many of the recent incidents causing injury and death have occurred when firearms have discharged whilst being transported in a vehicle, during cleaning or when shooters move from one shooting area to another.

“Also be aware of tiredness when shooting,” said Mr Spray. “The duck shooting season is a social event. Late nights and early mornings can compromise safety and tired shooters are likely to be less alert and may be more likely to drop their guard.”

“Alcohol and firearms do not mix, EVER,” said Mr Spray. “When handling firearms you must be able to think clearly,” said Mr Spray. “Alcohol and some drugs, including prescribed medication can slow mental and physical reactions and must not be consumed prior to or while shooting,” he added.

Mr Spray reminds all shooters to know and comply with all seven basic rules of firearms safety. “If they do this then there is a better chance of having an incident free season,” he said.

THE FIREARMS SAFETY CODE: Seven Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling

1. TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS LOADED
- Check every firearm yourself.
- Pass or accept only an open or unloaded firearm.

2. ALWAYS POINT FIREARMS IN A SAFE DIRECTION
- Loaded or unloaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction.

3. LOAD A FIREARM ONLY WHEN READY TO FIRE
- Load only the magazine after you reach your shooting area.
- Load the chamber only when ready to shoot.
- Completely unload before leaving the shooting area.

4. IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET BEYOND ALL DOUBT
- Movement, colour, sound and shape can all deceive you.
- Assume colour, shape, sound, and shape to be human until proven otherwise

5. CHECK YOUR FIRING ZONE
- THINK! What may happen if you miss your target? What might you hit between you and the target or beyond?
- Do not fire when you know others are in your firing zone

6. STORE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SAFELY
- When not in use, lock away the bolt, firearm and ammunition separately.
- Never leave firearms in a vehicle that is unattended

7. AVOID ALCOHOL AND DRUGS WHEN HANDLING FIREARMS
- Good judgement is the key to safe use of firearms.

More information about firearms and outdoor safety can be found on the Mountain Safety Council website www.mountainsafety.org.nz

About The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council
The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council was formed in 1965 in response to the increasing number of mountain, bush and firearms fatalities. Today, NZMSC is a national organisation responsible for safety in land-based outdoor activities. We facilitate the setting of standards, offer training, distribute resources, lead public awareness campaigns and foster positive support in the community so that more people can discover and enjoy New Zealand's outdoors safely.

MSC’s volunteer firearms instructors are approved by NZ Police to deliver firearm safety training and administer the Firearm Safety Test to new firearms licence applicants. MSC is also proactive in delivering key firearms safety messaging campaigns throughout New Zealand and produces publications including the ‘Going Hunting’ pamphlet.

www.mountainsafety.org.nz

ENDS

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