Coroner calls for gun law changes over death

Aaron Grimwood, 17, was killed in a shooting accident in 2008. Photo / Supplied

Parliament has been asked to consider changing firearms laws following an inquest into the death of a 17-year-old who was accidentally shot by his friend.

Aaron Phillip Grimwood died on November 15, 2008, after another 17-year-old, Raven Dallas Walters, shot him in the chest with a .22 calibre rifle from a distance of less than 10cm.

In a report released today, Wellington Coroner Ian Smith said the boys, who were long-time friends, had taken the rifle and a shotgun from Mr Grimwood's father's locked gun cabinet without permission, planning to go rabbit shooting.

Walters was loading the gun in a room where three young children were playing when he accidentally knocked the trigger, discharging the rifle and shooting Mr Grimwood.

"Aaron clutched his chest and made the comment, 'You've shot me' and staggered outside on to the back driveway of the house, went down on to his knees and then finally collapsed," the coroner's report read.

He died despite efforts to resuscitate him. Initially, Mr Grimwood's family did not want Walters charged as they believed it was just an unfortunate accident.

However, the situation changed after a short time, mainly because of Walters' apparent lack of remorse.

Walters pleaded guilty to charges of being in possession of a firearm without a licence, and causing death by careless use of a firearm, and was last year sentenced to four months' community detention, 100 hours' community work and one year of intensive special supervision.

At the inquest, Mr Grimwood's family questioned if there was a gap in the law in relation to the degree of recklessness in the crime, saying it was a big step between the degree of reckless or negligent action required to prove manslaughter as opposed to careless use.

In his findings, Mr Smith recommended Parliament consider a review of the law, possibly with a view to establishing a higher charge of dangerous use as well as that of careless use.

Mr Smith said other coroners had made requests for similar reviews in relation to hunting accidents. "...if such higher or stricter outcomes were to be in place, then those handling firearms may act more cautiously as the chances of facing a higher prison sentence and or fine may act in such a way to be a deterrent and therefore assist the prevention of circumstances of similar deaths occurring."

- NZPA