AIR RIFLE MENACE

Southland Times, Issue 20080, 18 January 1927, Page 6

AIR RIFLE MENACE

IRRESPONSIBLE YOUTHS FINED. DANGER TO COMMUNITY. (Per United Press Association.) Nelson, January 17. “The police have had quite a number of complaints about boys using air guns during the holiday season,” remarked PlainClothes Constable Hall in the Juvenile Court to-day, when two lads were charged with assaulting other lads by firing an air-rifle at them. “It seems to be the custom for parents about Christmas time” added the police representative, “to buy air guns for their children without seeming quite to realise that they are committing an offence.”

Evidence showed that pellets from the air gun struck the lads aimed at, but did not inflict any injury to speak of. In answer to the Magistrate, defendants said that they did not realise the seriousness of what they were doing. The Magistrate remarked that this showed how essential it was that the law should be strictly enforced. Irresponsible youths like those before him were a menace to the community.

In answer to the Magistrate, Plain-Clothes Constable Hall said that no serious injury was inflicted, but if the pellets had struck a vital spot, the parents of accused might have had to pay heavy damages. There was an instance on record where the father of a lad had to pay £2OO or £3OO compensation.

Each of the lads was fined £3. On a further charge of unlawfully rising an air gun, informations were dismissed. The salesman who sold the air gun to one of the lads, aged 15 years 9 months, was fined £1 and costs 7/-.

In answer to the Magistrate he said that he did not doubt for a moment that the lad was over 16 years of age.