Thread: Was a bit of a worry how many failed the test...

The little group of people I did my test with in Dunedin were pretty bright, no fails but a couple of people (including myself) got one question wrong. It was something I don't remember being in the firearms code booklet.

I think it would be nice if everyone getting their license had to attend a practical hands-on firearms safety lesson. Those getting a first aid certification have to do practicals, not just multi choice exams, so I don't see why the same can't be applied to firearms licensing.

Honestly when i got my license I still felt ill-prepared since I had never handled firearms before, no one I knew was a hunter, and my only real experience was from reading and watching. I only felt more confident after doing the hunts course with NZDA and going out a couple of times with NZDA members.

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

I think it would be nice if everyone getting their license had to attend a practical hands-on firearms safety lesson. Those getting a first aid certification have to do practicals, not just multi choice exams, so I don't see why the same can't be applied to firearms licensing.

That is now the situation. The course down here is run at the Edgar Centre and covers safe handling of all different types of firearms (bolt, lever, semi etc) and includes things like crossing a simulated fence safely. The guy that put the course together down here spent a LOT of dollars on buying guns from us and having them deactivated.

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

The little group of people I did my test with in Dunedin were pretty bright, no fails but a couple of people (including myself) got one question wrong. It was something I don't remember being in the firearms code booklet.

I think it would be nice if everyone getting their license had to attend a practical hands-on firearms safety lesson. Those getting a first aid certification have to do practicals, not just multi choice exams, so I don't see why the same can't be applied to firearms licensing.

Honestly when i got my license I still felt ill-prepared since I had never handled firearms before, no one I knew was a hunter, and my only real experience was from reading and watching. I only felt more confident after doing the hunts course with NZDA and going out a couple of times with NZDA members.

Yeah, I agree. When asked for a show of hands on who had used firearms, about half indicated they had never used a firearm.
I found the course covered the very basics, there could be alot more in-depth training for sure, but obviously time is limited.
There is indeed quite a bit to learn and get familiar with, especially if your new to firearms. I guess I have some advantage after using several of my friends ones over the years.
They do indeed do a practical hands on session nowdays.

Key points I took out of it was that lever action firearms should be avoided by beginners and that bolt actions are the simpler and safer to use. That is something I would agree with, having used one before.
They are also now using this new protocol called the 4 states of readiness which I think we will see published in the next edition of the arms code.
Apparently its something used in the military that is now being taught by all instructors.
Along with that, the practical hands on stuff we did was the 3 point safety check when first picking up a firearm and from going between each state of readiness.
We were using 22 bolt action rifles for the demonstration.
A friend of mine said they had to demonstrate fence crossings and another told me that they were all showed graphic photos of gunshot wounds and injuries, i dont know how many years ago that was.