SHOOTING ACCIDENTS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23965, 4 June 1943, Page 7

SHOOTING ACCIDENTS

Sir, —Fatal accidents while deerstalking have naturally caused various correspondents to advocate preventive measures. One suggestion is that “the responsibility should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the man who pulls the trigger.” A fine theory, but would it solve much? Many a poor victim would be shot before an adequate sense of responsibility descended on certain types of rifle handlers—or mishandlers.' Where the responsibility should be,.placed absolutely first of all is on the selling agency. Why on earth, in this civilised country, should it be possible for callow, untrained persons (untralnable some of them) to purchase death-deal-ing weapons without even the vaguest resemblance of a check on such essentials as skill, mentality, common sense or character?— Yours, etc., - A.F. June 3, 1943. v ” if- c' c '■••rci Sir,—ls there no feeling, of .love and. pity left in humanity, or are the two writers to date on the above subject strange exceptions? Surely the man concerned is going through .enough torture of mind and spul without being kicked when he is - down. Imagine being responsible lor .tire death of one’s own friend on. a holiday. No doubt there are laws and rules of shooting etiquette to avoid accidents. So there are for motorists, pedestrians, tramways, and railways, but they don’t stop accidents, and fatal ones too. My deepest sympathy goes to those so suddenly bereaved of a loved one, but individuals harassing the shooter neither bring back life nor help in any way. Men are paid for deciding such cases.—Yours; etc., BE KIND AND JUDGE NOT,;- ■ June 3, 1943. 1 v