With firearms commonly used on farms in Australia to control vermin and destroy sick or unwanted cattle, the existing gun legislation acknowledges that farming communities have a genuine need for firearms as part of their farm management.

A farm’s safety evaluation should look for any hazards that firearms may create. Farmers need to look at the firearm itself, as well as the shooting environment, the shooter – and the connection between them.

Control measures for reducing the risk of injury or death

• safe handling procedures
• safe storage
• gun locks
• engineering design to reduce noise/recoil
• regular maintenance
• personal protective equipment
• hearing screening
• farm suicide awareness

Also includes a list of relevant firearm legislation for each state/territory.