Tough to solve dog and gun control

A country that has its origins as a pioneering colony is culturally not suited to legislation to save ourselves from mishaps.

TWO rival national newspapers this weekend have tackled the "tougher legislation, tougher penalties" for two different but inevitable topics - gun control and dog control.

Both are topics that hit close to home in Wairarapa. Our weekend lead story featured a dog attack on another dog in Masterton, and we had a hunter injured in the elbow after being shot on the first day of duck hunting season.

A country that has its origins as a pioneering colony is culturally not suited to legislation to save ourselves from mishaps. In many respects we pride ourselves on being more hands-on with our lives, and being less prone to assign blame when things do happen.

Nonetheless, we have been successful to a degree with legislation involving vehicles, driving and alcohol. Many might think we haven't gone far enough, but we have recognised the dangers and have (very slowly) legislated to combat it.

When it comes to gun control, our requirements do seem a bit loose. There have been 19 deaths in 10 years, and according to Otago University, there are 1.1 million guns in the country.

It's difficult to know what "tougher gun control" can really do. In hunting circumstances, people get shot because of a moment of unbelievable stupidity. It is interesting that, in obtaining a firearms licence, you have to meet strict requirements in terms of home security. You also are subject to a background check. But your ability to use a firearm properly is pretty much left up to fate.

I wonder, when it comes to hunting, whether it would be a good idea to have a certain number of hours logged in practical experience, like a pilot, and signed off by a reputable person, before a full licence is issued.

I also think a firearms licence renewed every five years is an idea with merit.

Regarding dog attacks, the oft-repeated line is: licence the owners, not the dog.

It does sound a good idea. I believe it is absolutely true that there's a large collection of dysfunctional people out there who happen to own dogs and are useless at it. A dog is a high-maintenance animal. The difficulty is, do councils or police have the resources to inspect and process everyone who wants to own a dog?