The fatal shooting of Carterton teenager Aaron Grimwood highlights the need for firearms owners to use commonsense and comply with basic safety rules, says the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council.
Aaron (17) spent Friday night pig-hunting on a farm about 31km south of Martinborough in the Wairarapa with his best friend and the farm owner.
On Saturday ambulance officers and police were called to the Tuturamuri address around 9.30am and found he had been shot in the chest with a .22 rifle by his friend.
He was treated at the scene but died soon after.
Police have charged the friend with careless use and unlawful possession of a firearm but Aaron's family hope he will escape punishment.
"Police are just doing their job I suppose, but I hope nothing comes of it because an accident is an accident," Aaron's father, Phil Grimwood, said.
Mike Spray, firearms and hunter training programme manager for the Mountain Safety Council, said firearms owners needed not only to know the seven safety rules, but to apply each of them at all times.
"This regrettable incident could have been avoided by following the first two rules: `treat every firearm as loaded' and 'always point firearms in a safe direction'.
"You must never assume a firearm is empty. Regularly check that the magazine and chamber do not hold any ammunition. You should never point a firearm at yourself or anyone else," he said.
There were very few non-intentional incidents each year in New Zealand which led to injury or death.
"This is an indication that the most firearms owners act responsibly around firearms. However on the occasions when firearms users do drop their guard, the consequences can be serious," Mr Spray said.
"All firearms users need to stay alert at all times when handling firearms and take special care."
He said people in possession of firearms must have a firearms licence or be under the direct supervision of a licensed person when shooting. To gain a licence, applicants must attend a firearms safety course delivered by the safety council.
