Show I Firearms Deaths Are Decreasing Accidental deaths from firearms firearms firearms fire fire- arms is on the decrease according according according ac ac- ac- ac cording to statistics recently published by the National Safety Council Charles Dowse Utah Safety Councils Council's vice president for Public Safety stated ALTHOUGH most people tend to believe that tha-t fir firearms arms accidents usually happen with hunters the reverse is true The majority of fatal accidents are in the home n Mr Dowse stated Using the best sources statisticians generally agree that less than hunter firearm firearm firearm fire fire- arm accidents occur in the United States it was pointed out THE MAIN dangers to hunters each fall Mr Dowse said are automobile accidents and heart attacks Although much of the news of such deaths are reported as hunting hunting hunting hunt hunt- ing accidents both categories are higher than firearms fatalities fatalities fatalities fa fa- fa- fa in the field The rate of hunting accidents accidents accidents ac ac- ac- ac has steadily decreased the past two decades Mr Dowse said mainly maimy because of safety hunter-safety programs by the State Fish and Game agencies ONE FORTY-ONE states through their fish and game department department department depart depart- ment now have voluntary or mandatory safety hunter-safety train train- ing programs with emphasis on the 14 to year 24 age bracket To help reduce all types of firearms accidents the true sportsman treats his gun with respect and is always careful where he points the muzzle OTHER factors which have contributed to safe hunting practices are that th the hunter keeps the safety on until ready to fire and is positive of f the target loads the gun only when in the field ready to hunt unloads unloads unloads un un- loads the gun when not in use and leaves the action open and keeps his equipment in excellent condition Most accidents result from that gun that wasn't loaded it was pointed out so to insure against such accidents gun owners were urged to make certain that the weapon is unloaded AS THE hunting season gets under way in the State Mr Dowse urged hunters to wear clothing that is easily seen and can be recognized as something I worn by a human being He also cautioned hikers who might be in the hunting areas I Ito to dress as if they were on ona ona ona a hunt Lets eliminate any possibility possibility possibility of a human life being j taken during this upcoming I 1 hunting season by being misI mistaken mistaken mis mis- I taken for a game animal Mr Dowse said A few simple simple sim sim- pIe precautions on the part of everyone out in open during during during dur dur- ing the hunting season will result in the state having havinga a death free season |