Warning after gun deaths

Load a firearm only when ready to fire. Photo / File

The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council has reminded hunters to load firearms only when ready to fire, to unload them when they have no game to fire at and always to point them in a safe direction.

The warning comes after two hunting tragedies last month.

A 15-year-old duck hunter, James Ross Bucko Johnston, died on May 10 after his firearm discharged in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Later that same day, Joshua Hunter Hill, an aircraftman in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, accidentally shot himself while deer hunting with friends.

It is believed Mr Hill was carrying his firearm while crossing a fence and it discharged, hitting him in the chest.

He was part of a hunting group of three crossing farmland in Ruatiti, near Raetihi.

MSC firearms and hunter safety programme manager Nicole McKee said the tragedies came as a heart-breaking reminder to hunters to keep the basic rules of firearms safety front of mind at all times.

The seven rules are:

• Treat every firearm as loaded at all times.

• Always point firearms in a safe direction.

• Load a firearm only when ready to fire.

• Identify your target beyond all doubt.

• Check your firing zone.

• Store firearms and ammunition safely.

• Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms.

Under contract to the New Zealand Police, MSC delivers the firearms and hunter safety programme nationally.

This includes firearms safety courses and the testing all applicants are required to attend and pass before receiving a firearms licence.

For more information, visit mountainsafety.org.nz