Firearms safety important in rural areas

The recent search for an outstanding offender which triggered a spate of rural burglaries leads Canterbury police to remind rural firearms holders of their security obligations.

William Stewart faces a number of charges relating to burglaries, alleged driving offences, firearms and drug offences, all allegedly committed in the Selwyn and Mid - South Canterbury rural areas earlier this year.
Senior Sergeant Al Stewart says that the main problem in rural areas is firearm security.

"There doesn’t tend to be the same issue in urban areas, because firearms aren’t used as often and are usually locked in a gun safe until the next shooting excursion," he says. "In rural areas many farmers use firearms every day on their bikes, four-wheelers and utes; they get complaisant about firearms safety.

"Firearms can get left in vehicles overnight in an open shed or by the back door. This is dangerous for the family, especially children, but they are also easily stolen."

Your firearms license obliges you to make sure that your gun is secure when not in use, it cannot be accessed by anyone other than the license holder, and the bolt and ammunition must be stored separately to the firearms, otherwise you are breaching the Firearms Act.

An ongoing problem is license holders who forget to notify change of address and re establish security when they move. This is prevalent in dairying areas where sharemilkers move annually.

"Children should be made aware of firearm safety and have the dangers pointed out to them. The emphasis should be that they don’t touch them at all," says Senior Sergeant Stewart.

"If you live close to town (lifestyle block, etc,) and are going to be shooting pests, please tell your neighbours and inform the police."

The Arms Code booklet is available from Police Stations and a PDF download is available on www.police.govt.nz. If you have any queries about firearms safety or security ring or call into your local police station and ask to talk to your local Police Arms Officer.

Firearms safety is mostly just essential commonsense, and is covered by the seven basic firearm safety rules that every firearms owner must know before being issued with a firearms’ license.

Seven basic rules
1. Treat every firearm as loaded.
2. Always point firearms in a safe direction.
3. Load a firearm only when ready to fire.
4. Identify your target beyond all doubt.
5. Check your firing zone.
6. Store firearms and ammunition safely.
7. Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms.