MENACE OF FIREARMS IN BOYS' HANDS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1755, 21 May 1913, Page 7

MENACE OF FIREARMS IN BOYS' HANDS.

JUDGE COOPER'S OPINION. I'OLIOD POWER TO CONFISCATE (By Tclegraph.-Pross Association.) Auckland, May 20. Tho menaco to the public safety arising out of lads being in possession of pearillcs was tho subject of commcnt by Mr, Justice Coojier at tho Supremo Court today. His Honour's remarks arose out uf a rccent shooting tragedy near Whangarei, which resulted in a lad, Kdward Augustine Sheehan, pleading "Guilty" to a charge of manslaughter. Alter committing the lad to St. Mary's Home, his Honour said that he wished to pass on to the public tho question of the use of pca-rilles by young lads. "This practice," said his Honour, "has been productive of a great deal of harm to the community. Many fatal accidents havo been caused by tho use of theso weapons by young children, who havo no business to have firearms in their possession. 1 really don't think that tho publio can know the law in this respect. Under tlie Police Offences Act of l!)l)8 it is not lawful to; sell or supply firearms, or any kind of ammunition, to a person under tho ago of sixteen. Neither is it lawful for any person, under tho ago of sixteen years, to have firearms or ammunition in his possession. Tho ovi« deuce in the presont case shows that, on the Sunday morning when tho tragedy occurred, theso young lads discharged nc lower than 200 cartridges, and each' cartridge—had it struck anyone—might have caused serious injuries. I cannot understand (with the law as it now stands) how it is that, for some years past, lads havo obtained possession of theso pcarilles, and tho necessary ammunition." His Honour went on to urge an amendment of the Police Offences Act in the direction of investing policemen with power to confiscate pca-rilles or other firearms and ammunition found in tho possession of boys who are manifestly under the ago of sixteen. As tho law stood at present (said his Honour) confiscation was only legal after a conviction had been entered against a lad for having a firearm in his possession. ( "I believe," continued his Honour, "that many of these accidents would havo been avoided if, uhon a constable saw a boy of under sixteen years with a peariito, ho had tho authority of the law to take that pea-rifle. 1 liopo my remarks will roach tho ears of tho o 11thorities, and that tho law will bo amended in the direction indicated. I do not wish it to bo' understood that I object to lads being taught tho use of the rillo for tho purpose of national defence, and neither do 1 object to efficiency being acquired in the use of the rifle for sporting purposes. What I do object to is tho positive menaco to the community caused by usa-rjflcs ill th.o hands of young boys. This is a public question of importance."

Mr. Tolo (Crown Prosecutor) informed his Honour that the polico already confiscated pea-rifles when they were found in possession of lads under sixteen. His Honour: I am very glad that tho polico have adopted this course. What is wanted, however, is that they should have statutory authority in 6uch cti6M.