Hunter charged after gun fired in pickup
Last Updated: Monday, November 2, 2009 | 12:31 PM NT
CBC News
A hunter in central Newfoundland is facing charges after mistakenly firing his gun in his pickup truck while trying to unload it, according to provincial conservation officers.
The man, who has not been identified by conservation officials, was not injured. He has been charged with two violations under the Wildlife Act for careless handling of a firearm and possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
Conservation officers were conducting a routine check of a vehicles in central Newfoundland on Oct. 9 when the gun went off.
Government officials say they are speaking about the case publicly because they fear other hunters are keeping loaded firearms in vehicles.
"Our conservation officers routinely find live rounds of ammunition remaining in firearms during checks of vehicles," said provincial Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale on Monday.
"We want to remind hunters to always put safety first and be responsible in the handling and storage of your firearm. It is unsafe and illegal to carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle or to shoot at an animal from your vehicle. People can be injured or killed for the sake of not properly unloading your firearm."
The hunter will appear in court in Grand Falls-Windsor, in central Newfoundland, on Nov. 23.
