Firearm safety

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 534, 3 May 1994, Page 6

Firearm safety

The procedures that have to be gone through to obtain a firearms licence give an insight into firearm safety. However, as good as the, theory might be, it is the practical application that really counts. The shotgun is an utterly lethal weapon at close range and pellets will carry in excess of 200 metres. REMEMBER: - Never leave a loaded gun lying around where a dog could dislodge it, stand on it, or whatever. A safety catch can be knocked off. - Be particularly careful when finishing off any crippled birds down on the water. Pellets will ricochet off water, so be sure that a hunter on the other side of the pond or river isn't going to get peppered, or an incoming/ outcoming dog shot. - If shooting straight up in the air, keep your eyes down after the shot until the pellets (and hopefully duck) land around you. A #4 shot packs a considerable punch after falling a couple of hundred metres - you don't want one in the eye. - Don't shoot with drinking hunters. Forget the 'traditional' view of duck shooters as whiskey/gin swilling heros. Have more sense and in front of younger shooters, set the proper example of

safe firearm use. - If your gun is not in your hands, break it open & keep it away from the dog. -Never have a loaded shotgun in your hands when transferring between boat to maimai, and bank. - Be very hesitant about using cartridges from wet weather gear pockets that may have filled with rain water, or from cartridge belts exposed to heavy rain. Gunpowder is highly hydroscopic and a damp load could see a wad stuck up a barrel. Keep a three-piece

cleaning rod in your pack. - Roll your waders down below your knees when in a boat. They're easier to get off if you tip out. - If approaching a dam, pond or river backwater involves a bit of climbing, either ensure that the safety catch is on, or break the gun. The latter is preferable because it is safer. Re-read the arms code. It only takes a split second for a disaster to occur. Remember that shotguns, like any other firearm, were created for just one purpose: to kill.