Larry wrote:I dont believe it was ever a thing which was probably a good thing. Handguns are next level when it come down to dangerous handling and use and we could of ended up with even more draconian laws as I am sure the accidents and injuries would have been a trigger to the population.
It was, in Queensland and the NT. Data from the US strongly suggest handgun hunting is safer than rifle hunting due to the types of game commonly shot and the closer ranges allowing more positive identification of larger species ie: Deer & Bear. I don't believe handguns, in use by experienced shooters who are required to use them often, are any more dangerous than rifles in the hands of casuals. Most firearm injuries would appear to be from occasional hunters rather than those who hunt often. Hunting in the US, with all types of weapons, longarms, both cartridge and muzzle loaders, handguns, bow, crossbow, is still the 2nd safest sporting activity after Billiards with the overwhelming majority of hunting accidents being falling out of trees, ( 3 to 500 vs 100 with firearms).