Discussion Topic: Are Rifles As Safe As Shotguns?

From southwestern New York’s Star-Gazette News:

_Nine days into the regular hunting season for deer, it doesn’t appear that the use of rifles in some [formerly shotgun-only] Southern Tier counties is having a major impact on safety.

At the urging of sportsmen’s groups and many county farm bureaus, a new law passed by the state Legislature and signed by the governor this year lifted a longtime ban on rifles for hunting big game in Chemung, Steuben and Yates counties. . . .

Some people felt the change would mean more accidental shootings.
So far, area law enforcement agencies say that hasn’t happened._

What do you think? Should more shotgun-only areas lift the ban on centerfire rifles?