'A bad year' for shooting incidents

Connor Phillips, 11, died in an hunting accident in Kaingaroa Forest, near Taupo. Photo / Facebook

The issues surrounding safe handling of firearms in New Zealand has resurfaced after the death of an 11-year-old boy who died in an hunting accident in Kaingaroa Forest, near Taupo on Sunday.

There have been 11 shooting incidents, with five of those ending in a fatality, this year, Paul Clark, chairman of the licence of firearms owners associations told Newstalk ZB this morning.

The statistics were higher than previous years, he said.

"Overall this year has been a bad year," he said.

The incidents were a combination of "sometimes stupidity or a genuine accident", he said.

New Zealanders needed better education on handling firearms.

"We have an education problem. The message still isn't getting out there completely," he said.

Mr Clark pointed the finger at police, saying they've stopped funding on the Mountain Safety Council Firearms safety division, and that was partly to blame for the lack of education.

"I can't see any quick and obvious solution coming onto the market," he said.

However, he defended the use of firearms for hunting saying it was safer than many other sports.

"I would say more people get killed fishing, swept off rocks, drowning, than ever get killed going shooting," Mr Clark said.

"I don't think anybody that owns firearm wants to see an accident at all, but you've got to be realistic. We have several million firearms circulating in this country."

Meanwhile, Deerstalkers Association president Bill O'Leary told Newstalk ZB the organisation would consider re-prioritising its safety messages following the death of Reporoa boy Connor Brian Phillips, 11, on Sunday.

The details of the shooting incident remained sketchy, Mr O'Leary said, but when more was known about what happened in Kaingaroa Forest, near Taupo, on Sunday afternoon the organisation would look at how best to communicate firearms safety message.

The seven basic safety messages for firearms users would not change, Mr O'Leary said, but there could be changes in emphasis.

Yesterday police said an adult member of a hunting party was unloading a firearm at the end of a hunt when Connor was shot.

New Zealand Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley expressed his condolences to the family.

"This marks the fifth non-intentional firearms death this year - five too many.

"Incidents like this bring home the importance of keeping the seven basic rules of firearms safety front of mind at all times when handling a firearm, and always pointing your firearms in a safe direction.

"A moment's distraction can be enough to turn many lives upside down," Mr Daisley said.

Firearms safety code:

1) Treat every firearm as loaded. Check every firearm and pass only an open or unloaded firearm.

2) Always point firearms in a safe direction.

3) Load a firearm only when ready to fire. Completely unload before leaving the shooting area.

4) Identify your target beyond all doubt. Remember movement, colour, sound and shape can be deceptive.

5) Check your firing zone. Do not fire knowing 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 unattended.

7) Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms. Good judgement is key.