Mountain Safety Council Reminds Hunters

NEW ZEALAND MOUNTAIN SAFETY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE - FIREARMS SAFETY

Mountain Safety Council Reminds Hunters Of Refresh Themselves of Their Firearms Responsibilities

The clocks will be going forward this weekend and serve as another reminder that spring is well and truly upon on us. Spring is a popular time for hunting with many animals venturing out of the bush to forage for new growth in clearings and bush edges.

However the message to hunters is: ‘take the time to refresh your knowledge of the firearms safety code and remember your responsibilities when using firearms,’ says Mountain Safety Council Firearms Safety Programme Manager, Mike Spray.

There are seven basic rules of firearms safety which all hunters need to know off-by-heart. If hunters comply with all parts of each rule, at all times, then non-intentional firearms incidents will be avoided.

‘The majority of hunting deaths and injuries involve members of the same hunting party. Hunters should therefore remain in visual contact with each other. If you lose sight of your hunting companion, you should cease hunting immediately until visual contact is regained and confirmed,’ said Mr Spray.

Many of the deer hunter deaths in recent years have occurred at short distances, where the shooter has been unable to see enough of the animal to confirm it was the target animal. ‘You must identify your target beyond all doubt,’ says Mr Spray. ‘Sight the head, neck and shoulder of the animal or at least sufficient of the animal to confirm beyond doubt that the target is NOT human and never ever fire at movement, shape, colour or sound,’ he added.

‘High visibility clothing can assist hunters with maintaining visual contact and it is sensible to wear it,’ says Mr Spray. ‘But it is not a substitute for identifying your target beyond all doubt,’ he added.

There have been three deer hunter deaths this year, which is three too many. These tragedies could and should have been avoided by following the basic firearms safety rules. ‘While the vast majority of hunters are responsible firearms users, we urge all firearms owners to refresh their memory of New Zealand’s Arms Code and make sure that they follow the seven basic rules of safe firearms handling at all times,’ concluded Spray.

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.
They should be out of the reach of children, out of view and in a secure room, rack or cabinet approved by a Police arms officer.
Never leave firearms unattended.

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

For further information about firearms safety, please visit www.mountainsafety.org.nz/firearms

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