Southern District Police will be out and about at duck shooting opening weekend (1-2 May) targeting firearms safety and, in particular, the use of alcohol around firearms.
Over recent years, police have noticed an increase in people drinking alcohol while operating or working with firearms, said Inspector Lane Todd, Southern District Operations Manager.
Additional police staff are being rostered to work in rural areas on duck shooting opening weekend. They will be targeting drink driving and breaches of the Arms Act, he said.
Last year, there were several cases of duck shooters being apprehended for excess breath alcohol when driving to duck shooting areas with firearms in their vehicles.
"I want to emphasis that keeping firearms and alcohol completely separate is essential. Under the Arms Act, there are several potential charges that could be faced, and there is also the real risk that the firearms licence holder could have their firearms licence revoked," Inspector Todd said.
Inspector Todd said firearms safety must be a priority and people needed to follow the seven basic rules of firearms' safety (see below).
"The key messages are to always point firearms in a safe direction, do not put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to fire the gun, and never rely solely on the safety catch."
It was also important that people who possessed firearms were appropriately supervised, Inspector Todd said. New shooters who didn't hold a current firearms licence must be under the immediate supervision of a licensed shooter. This means that the licensed supervisor must be able to control muzzle direction should this be necessary.
The Seven Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling
1. TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS LOADED
Check every firearm yourself. Pass or accept only an open or unloaded firearm.
2.ALWAYS POINT FIREARMS IN A SAFE DIRECTION
Loaded or unloaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
3. LOAD A FIREARM ONLY WHEN READY TO FIRE
Load only the magazine after you reach your shooting area. Load the chamber only when ready to shoot. Completely unload before leaving the shooting area.
4. IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET BEYOND ALL DOUBT
Movement, colour, sound and shape can all deceive you. Assume colour, shape, sound, and shape to be human until proven otherwise.
5. CHECK YOUR FIRING ZONE
THINK! What may happen if you miss your target? What might you hit between you and the target or beyond? Do not fire when you know others are in your firing zone.
6. STORE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SAFELY
When not in use, lock away the bolt, firearm and ammunition separately. Never leave firearms in a vehicle that is unattended
7. AVOID ALCOHOL AND DRUGS WHEN HANDLING FIREARMS
Good judgement is the key to safe use of firearms.
ENDS