Thread: Firearm and Public Health Seminar

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Firearms & public health, Summer School, University of Otago, Wellington, University of Otago, New Zealand

Wednesday 14 February 2018

Firearms policy is often hotly-contested. How can we find common ground? International and local speakers will explore and debate the public policy and other aspects of firearms in Aotearoa/ New Zealand and our region.

Owning firearms is common in New Zealand: estimates range from one to three million firearms in our population of 4.8 million. Firearm safety is an issue in public health because of gun-shot deaths and injuries and other health effects; some groups are more vulnerable than others. Numerous community and business groups and government agencies, such as the Police, have an interest in the importation, sale, use and safety of firearms. The diversity of the groups can make it challenging to find common ground. How are current firearms policies working and how might likely future directions affect health, safety and well-being? A revitalised public discussion about firearms is needed; this symposium is a timely contribution

Topics covered
The firearms scene in New Zealand, injury prevention and firearms safety training, issues of debate including licensing of owners and registration of firearms, gun culture, public health issues – is lead an issue?, Environmental issues, including hunting, among others. Recent research from University of Otago will be reported.

Style of course
This is a symposium-style course, which will include discussion. There will also be a workshop session in which participants will consider policy options for the future.

Who should attend?
People interested in public health and firearms, staff from central and local government agencies concerned with firearms, the environment and health, media workers wanting to an update on firearms issues.

Teaching staff
Speakers will include:

Marie Russell, University of Otago, Wellington - on preliminary results of recent research about firearms policy
Nicole McKee, Firearms Safety Specialists NZ Limited (FSS NZ) - on firearms safety training and related issues
Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato - on current policy issues and recent developments
Philip Alpers - University of Sydney - on a public health view of firearms, and of suicide by firearms
Hera Cook, University of Otago, Wellington - on gun culture
Chris Cahill, New Zealand Police Association – on the police workers’ point of view
Don Rood, Fish & Game – on firearms and the environment
and others to be confirmed.

Course cost and registration
$300 early bird, $400 after 20 December 2017.

A 50% discount is available to full-time students, those unwaged and University of Otago staff.