Don Barton is presently a solicitor involved in the investigation and prosecution of complaints against solicitors. He was previously a High School teacher of English and Media Studies. Don has undertaken prior research as part of his studies and has vast experience in investigative work and litigation.

Don commenced shooting with Rail and Tram Institute Rifle Club in the sixties, and shortly thereafter joined the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia of which he remains a member. He is a member of Katoomba Rifle Club and is a founding member of Blue Mountains Field Sports Association.

New South Wales Sports Shooting Injuries Report

In 1998, an independent study was undertaken of the incidence of injuries associated with competitive sports shooting in New South Wales, funded by the New South Wales Shooting Association and the New South Wales Sporting Injuries Committee.

Research of the available literature relating to sports injuries revealed an abundance of research into injuries across a wide range of sports, reflecting the significance of this area of study in terms of the economic, social and health costs to the community but there has been little information available in relation to sports shooting injuries. The aim of this study of sport shooting injuries was to address general public concerns surrounding the use of firearms and to consider an area of research that had been notably deficient. It was also believed that the findings of such a study could have beneficial implications for insurance. Further, the findings of such a study could assist in identifying potential strategies for improving safety in competitive sports shooting.

The objective of the research was to investigate the incidence of injury relating to sports shooting and to compare the results to the results of similar studies of other sports and injuries associated with firearm use generally. A periodic survey, with monthly returns, was undertaken over three months, monitoring the experiences of individual participants in competitive shooting.

At the end of the three months and out of a total of over 63,000 man-hours of participation, only one very minor injury was reported. The results of this study demonstrated that competitive sports shooting is a remarkably safe sport compared to sports generally and that competitive sports shooting is significantly safer than the general use of firearms.

The study also illustrated that existing safety precautions associated with sport shooting is an important contributing factor to the low incidence of injury found in this report. Most sports shooters with firearms take an active interest in firearm care and maintenance and are particularly aware of the necessary procedures for safe firearm handling. This awareness is an integral part of participation in sports shooting.

  

Chaz Forsyth was born in NZ in 1948 and is married with two children, one of them still at school. Most of his working life has been spent in and around Dunedin, where he was educated.

After a twenty year career as a civil engineering technician specialising in traffic engineering he retrained as a technology teacher (Secondary teaching). He has taught at an intermediate school in Dunedin since then but has spent this year as a full-time university student, pursuing a degree in economics.

Chaz' interest in recreational hunting began while he was still at school and developed into ammunition reloading, firearm safety instruction and gunsmithing. He has had more than 60 articles on aspects of firearms, cartridges and hunting published in NZ and overseas. His Firearms in New Zealand was published twice, the second time by the NZ Mountain Safety Council as its Manual No.37 (in 1985).

Casualties From Firearm Accidents: Trends Since 1935:

This paper examines trends in firearm accident (unintentional) casualty data provided by NZ Police and NZ Mountain Safety Council (Inc) from 1935 to 2004. (See footnote 1) Firearm accidents have steadily declined, with notable reductions in the early 1950s, the early 1970s and the late 1990s. Whilst Scott and Scott (2005) estimates that this fall in total number of firearms accidents reduced annual societal cost by 253%, they recommend that significant spending is justified to further reduce firearm accidents even further. The analysis falls into two parts.

The first discusses the multitude of factors that may have lead to changes in the casualty rate from firearm accidents such as: volume of firearms, proportion of the firearm-owning population, proportion of 'high risk' population, greater awareness of the need for firearm safety, wider knowledge of first aid, improved firearm owner licensing provisions, inter alia.

While information about the firearm 'pool' of yesteryear is lacking, recent information shows some 1.1 million firearms in NZ, of which 43% are rifles, 29% are shotguns, 25% are airguns and 3% are handguns. The proportion of firearms per capita has steadily increased from 0.236 to 0.311, because of firearm imports exceeding the population growth rate.(See footnote 2)

The age distribution of arms accident casualties has changed slightly, with the age for accumulated 50 percentile casualties increasing from 25 years (1930 to 1966 and early 1980s data) to 30 years (1987 to 2004).

Steady improvements in firearm safety, arising from training programmes particularly those instigated since the inception of the NZMSC (Inc) in 1965, and arms owner licensing requirements dwelling upon user suitability (since 1984) culminating in the improvements effected by the Arms Amendment Act (1992) have lead directly to reductions in arms accidents among law abiding users of legal firearms.

The second part will conduct formal time series analysis to examine the linkages between the economic, educational and institutional factors listed above. This will greatly extend on the conjectures put forth in Scott and Scott (2005) and the noted correlations between access to guns and risk of death by in the US by Rushforth (1974) and Canada by Chapdelaine and Maurice (1996).

This research was conducted by Chaz Forsyth and Clayton Weatherston.

Clayton is a PhD candidate in the Department of Economics at Otago University where he also teaches econometrics. His thesis is in the area of development economics. He has research interests in a number of other areas of economics including economic analysis of sports, and decision-making processes in tertiary education and immigration. Before starting his doctorate he worked as an education policy analyst for the NZ Treasury. Clayton plays a variety of sports and instructs aerobics when he is not studying.

References:
Chapdelaine, A. and Maurice, P., Firearms injury prevention and gun control in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal,1996. 155(9): p. 1285-9. Rushforth, N.B., et al., Accidental firearm fatalities in a metropolitan county (1958-1973). Am J Epidemiol, 1974. 100(6): p. 499-505. Scott, W.G., and Scott, H.M., Firearm accidents: trends and costs in New Zealand. Unpub, (2005).

Footnotes:
1. It is only from 1960 on that we have data which segregates fatalities from injuries.
2 Firearm attrition rates are not known.

  

Joe has been a Police officer for 22 years, working at all ranks in both administrative and operational roles to his current rank of Inspector. Since November 1998 he has managed the Licensing and Vetting Service Centre. This Service Centre is responsible, among other things for the national coordination of firearms control. He has advised a Parliamentary Select Committee on one Arms Amendment Bill, has developed policy which is within the Arms Manual 2002, and is advising on the Arms Amendment Bill #3. He is also the Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, which is the civilian organisation responsible for the nation wide training of all firearms licence applicants. In practice this means that he has been associated with the design, administration and enforcement of firearms control systems on a full time basis for seven years. This is backed by operational policing experience.

The New Zealand Police and New Zealand Mountain Safety Council: State and Civil Society Working in Collaboration for Firearm Safety
Presented by Mike Spray, MSC, and Inspector Joe Green, NZ Police

The New Zealand Police hold responsibility for the Arms Act 1983 and Arms Regulations 1992; both of which promote the safe use and control of firearms and other weapons. NZ Police's core philosophy is one of community oriented policing, predicated on public cooperation. Regulation 14 of the Arms Regulations 1992 requires that every applicant for a Firearms Licence undergo a course of training and pass a theoretical test conducted by a member of Police or a person approved for the purpose by a member of Police.

The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council's (MSC) purpose is to enable people to enjoy their recreation safely in the outdoors. This includes the sporting use of firearms. Firearms Safety Instructors warranted by MSC are the only persons approved by NZ Police to deliver the training and testing of Firearms Licence applicants required under Regulation 14 of the Arms Regulations 1992.

This paper, copresented by Mike Spray, MSC Programme Manager for Firearms and HUNTS, and Joe Green, the Police Inspector responsible for the national coordination of arms control, explains the collaboration at both a national and local level between NZ Police and MSC, the result of which is 'safer communities together'.

Mike is of Maori descent with affiliations to Ngati Kahugnugnu, and Te Arawa. A serving Police Officer for 25 Years, he reached the rank of Detective Sergeant before retiring in 1996. He has been involved with a variety of duties within the Police including drug, fraud, serious crime and homicide enquiries. He specialised in drug investigation, and also served as a Police Prosecutor and Detective Trainer. After retiring from the frontline of policing, he ran his own property development company.

A current serving Justice of the Peace, he returned to police duties, serving in a civilian role as the Officer In Charge of the Rotorua Police Arms Office. The change in policing perspectives has been a breath of fresh air for Mike. "Dealing with a good law abiding customer base" has been very refreshing. Opportunities for improved service present a welcome challenge for him in this position.

“Breaking the Barriers” : Rural Maori perception of the barriers to obtaining a New Zealand firearms licence
Presented by Mike Keefe and Emma Watkins.

See biographical information for Emma Wakins for a full abstract of this presentation.

Commencing in 1971, Geoff variously taught and coordinated engineering subjects and programs within the TAFE system at Kilkenny, Port Pirie and Regency Park. In his spare time he developed and introduced firearms training for SSAA at their Para Range where he has been a member since 1968, shooting various disciplines.

He was seconded to the Centre for Recreation, Sport & Tourism at Regency Campus of TAFE SA as Firearms Safety Training Coordinator for TAFE SA in 1992 to help establish SA's firearms safety-training program. Since assuming this role he has overseen the training of more than 17,000 new South Australian shooters and worked in resource development and research for the program.

A contributor to The Australian Shooters' Journal since 1973, Geoff has been a regular columnist since 1985 and has had various other articles about hunting, shooting and firearms published in this and other magazines. He has helped produce three training films as well as assisting with Rolf De Heeer's celebrated film The Tracker, is the author of several books and edits South Australia Ferret News.

He is a member of the "Weapons" sub-committee of the Army Museum of SA, and is collaborating on publications as well as weapon restorations.

South Australia's Firearms Safety Program for Unsupervised Shooters; Ten-years of Steady Progress.

Beginning in 1993, South Australia adopted much more comprehensive firearms legislation than had previously existed. The new legislation recognised different purposes for which firearms may be owned, and made it compulsory for new shooters to complete a course of theoretical and practical training for the purposes of use being sought, prior to approval of the licence. While designing the course, many previously unanticipated purposes for which firearms are required were identified. Research was undertaken to ascertain details of firearms deaths and injuries in SA and thereby provide direction for the training program.

The training program aims to reduce deaths and injuries, make participants aware of the shooting sports, reduce vandalism and improve relations between shooters and landowners. Tuition fees are calculated to pay instructors at award rates, offer participants comparatively good value for money and ensure overall cost neutrality to the taxpayer.

Ongoing educational research improves assessment methods, updates resource materials and audio-visual media and assists in keeping abreast of new technology.

After 12 years of operation and more than 17,000 participants, the latest death and injury data coupled to anecdotal reports provide clear evidence that the program is achieving its goals and has been very well accepted by the wider SA community.

Mike has been associated with NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) for 23 years. Over that time he has been a volunteer instructor and national assessor in a variety of outdoor disciplines including bush, first aid, abseil, firearms, and more recently, hunter training.

In 2003 Mike joined the team at National Office as a full time employee. He currently holds the position of Programme Manager for the firearm safety and the hunter training programmes. As part of this role Mike is responsible for supporting 415 firearms instructors who deliver firearms safety training and testing for firearms licence applicants.

MSC provides a wider role assisting Police with firearms control and safety including: conducting research into firearms and hunting related injuries and deaths; promoting safety messages to firearms user groups; advising on projects such as the review of the Arms Code, Range Safety Manual and Arms Amendment Bill #3.

Through this partnership, Mike maintains a close relationship with NZ Police. This has been demonstrated through working together, alongside the NZ Council of Licensed Firearms Owners, to plan and host the International Firearms Safety Seminar.

The New Zealand Police and New Zealand Mountain Safety Council: State and Civil Society Working in Collaboration for Firearm Safety
Presented by Mike Spray, MSC, and Inspector Joe Green, NZ Police

See biographical information for Joe Green for a full abstract of this presentation.

After graduating from University with a BSc (hons) and working in the United Kingdom, Emma immigrated to New Zealand in 2003 and has been primarily employed by the Police working in the area of Firearms Re-licencing based in Rotorua. Whilst in this role, Emma has been instrumental in identifying a need to address problems encountered by rural Bay of Plenty Maori groups (hapu/iwi) when dealing with the Police and other authorities involving the use of firearms. The views held by rural Maori strongly indicate a need on the part of authorities to become more aware of the factors that motivate Maori and their use of firearms.

She conceived the idea of conducting a survey with the purpose of identifying the problems encountered, and proposing solutions which could readily be put in place. The overriding rationale of the survey is to encourage unlicenced rural Maori to become current firearms licence holders with the added advantage of ensuring they are aware of safety procedures as well as their legal obligations. This research was self initiated and subsequently sanctioned by Firearms Licencing Police National Headquarters. Police Iwi Liaison Officers, New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, hunting clubs and private individuals were used to assist in gathering survey information.

The results of this survey and recommendations coming from it will be presented at the International Firearms Safety Seminar.

"Breaking the Barriers" : Rural Maori perception of the barriers to obtaining a New Zealand firearms licence
Presented by Mike Keefe and Emma Watkins.

Information received from credible sources indicates that the issue of rural Maori being un-licensed firearms owners and users has been apparent for a very long time. This is an ongoing problem within the Bay of Plenty district. Earlier meetings with Maori communities have given indicators as to the reasons for non-licensing, signifying that this is also a problem for the Maori population and one that they themselves also wish to address. Police Arms Control staff identified a number of factors which are believed to be the main barriers to rural Maori obtaining a firearms licence, and through results of a survey implemented by local Iwi Liaison Officers from the New Zealand Police on local iwi and hapu, hope to gain further insight into these barriers and learn possible new ones. The study is ongoing and surveys are being regularly received from different locations within the Bay of Plenty. So far the results are very interesting and indicate problems that were not originally considered by the research team. The results of this study will be analysed further, then used to implement solutions and ensure ongoing strategies are set in place.

Bill joined the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC) as a volunteer firearms instructor in 1974. He has instructed firearms safety to firearms licence applicants and pupils of Nelson College, where he also teaches. For the past 4 years Bill has co-ordinated Nelson regions firearms training and testing programme. Bill is a MSC HUNTS (hunter training) Instructor and the New Zealand Deerstalkers National HUNTS Co-ordinator. He belongs to the Nelson Waimea Gun Club and is an Honorary Ranger with the New Zealand Fish and Game Council. At present Bill represents the New Zealand Deerstalker Association on the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, and works endlessly to promote firearms and hunter safety to our communities.

Ken has instructed firearms safety as a volunteer for the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) since 1986 and has co-ordinated firearms training and testing for the Christchurch region for the past 16 years. He is a current member of the NZ Handloaders Association and life member of the Christchurch Pistol Club. Ken received a MSC Award in 2001 for service in promoting firearms safety, and is highly respected for his commitment to firearms safety training.

Peter has instructed and tested firearms licence applicants for the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) for 23 years. Peter is well respected within the firearm fraternity in New Zealand and has represented some of our firearms organisations at the World Shooting Sports Symposium on Ranges held in America and the Lead in Ammunition Conference in Rome. Peter has been a MSC Range Inspector for 11years and holds a firearms dealers licence, and firearms and ammunition advisor certificates. Peter continues to share his depth of knowledge and expertise for the promotion of firearms safety.

Gerry has been a volunteer firearms safety instructor for the Mountain safety Council (MSC) for 22 years and currently co-ordinates firearms training and testing for the Wellington Central district. Gerry is also a MSC HUNTS instructor and in that role has delivered hunter training for 6 years. Gerry sits on the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners (COLFO) Executive and is the Executive Officer for the New Zealand Service Rifle Association. Along with these roles Gerry is the President of the Upper Hutt Branch of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association and a member of the Kaitoke and Heretaunga Pistol Clubs.