Thread: From Mr Plod too gun owners

A new news release is available for you to view on the Police website:

Title: Police remind hunters to identify their target before taking the shot

With the approaching duck shooting season and other hunting events including
the 'Roar' (deerstalking), Central District Police want to send a timely
reminder to firearms owners to identify their target before taking the shot.

Central District Firearms Licensing Manager Carole Duffin said: "Recent
hunting accidents that have resulted in death highlight the need to identify
your target. The last thing you want is to have the day marred by a serious
injury. If in doubt don't take the shot."

"Also drinking alcohol while using a firearm is just plain stupidity; leave
the celebratory drinks until you have locked away your firearm and
ammunition."

As a firearms owner it is your responsibility to know and practice the seven
basic firearms rules. If you are taking people hunting with you that are
unlicensed but want to shoot, you must as a licensee directly supervise them
while they are shooting.

Firearms owners are required by law to store their firearms securely at all
times with the ammunition and the bolt stored separately. If you have changed
address since your firearms licence was issued, you are required by law to
let Police know. All licence holders must install security at their home,
regardless of whether or not they actually posess any firearms.

"We want to help you stay compliant but we can't do this if you don't keep
your details up-to-date. Failure to notify us of changes can lead to a $500
infringement."

An expired licence means the owner is unlawfully in possession of a weapon
and that can carry a sentence of up to 3 months' imprisonment and/or a fine
of $1,000.

If you are going bush while hunting a great tool to take with you is a
personal locator beacon.

"These beacons can be a lifesaving investment if you get injured or lost as
it means emergency services can find you faster and get you home to your
family.

"We want you and your mates to have a safe day out hunting so you can
celebrate your success afterwards. Remember to identify your target and
practice safe handling of firearms."

Firearm owners in Central District can notify police of changes by ringing
the Firearms Licensing Unit on (06) 351 2550, or visiting the police website
New Zealand Police | Nga Pirihimana O Aotearoa and clicking on the 'do it online' section, or by email at
central.firearms@police.govt.nz.

You can download a copy of the Arms Code from the Police website. It is also
available free at all Police stations.

The 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

Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara
Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.


Please view the full news release online at:

Police remind hunters to identify their target before taking the shot | New Zealand Police

Thanks,

New Zealand Police

Good on the Police for being proactive in trying to prevent firearms accidents. I am a little unsure on the "All license holders must install security at their home" comment though. Whilst this is a good idea and I have an alarm system, I don't recall it ever being a mandatory requirement.

Rushy, I don't read that as requiring an alarm...

Firearms owners are required by law to store their firearms securely at all
times with the ammunition and the bolt stored separately.

I really wish the police would stop the completely senseless differentiation between bolt actions, lever actions and semis.
Yes the ammunition thing is law (19.1.b of the regulations Arms Regulations 1992 (SR 1992/346) (as at 01 January 2010) 19*Conditions relating to security precautions – New Zealand Legislation).
The bolt thing is NOT LAW...

Good all round general message +1
Not looking too much into the details about if they should say things or not, if it makes someone think or go that extra mile to be safe then nuff said.

Its a fine message but it would hit the target audience better if they did a TV ad.

Yeah, the bolt thing isn't law.
I got told I was full of bull sh*t on Fnh by Crazyman and Spanners on FnH when I was telling some bloke off with a jammed Tikka Bolt (it had rusted closed while stored in the safe).

Hehe.

And when your rifles are in an E-Cat safe, its all a bit pointless.

Anyway, I still have only an A-Cat safe, so my semis and pumps have either trigger locks or a lock through the action, with the bolt actions having the bolt locked away seperately.
Its not the be all and end all of safe storage.

The bolt thing isn't law, but it's a prudent step to take IMO. I'd rather a burglar end up with nothing useable than them walking away with a fully functional firearm. Yes I know about semi's but sometimes, something action is better than nothing.

I've been advised that an oiled bolt (left in) prevents oxygen from traveling into at least one end, the other should be resting muzzle end down in an oily rag. Ive done this since day one and never seen corrosion yet. If thieves can get into my safe - that means they have the tools. That means they'll be into both sections of the safe withing minutes of each other. Waste of time - and it raises the risk of me leaving the bolt at home.

I've left my bolt at home once. Felt like a right twat. But still maintain my discipline to store separate from rifles for the same reason as someone posted above... I'd rather a thief left with a useless firearm than one he can use as he drives down the driveway