NEW ZEALAND’s firearm law reform Details about the government’s gun buyback are lacking and the process seems likely to get worse before it gets better...

In the following feature NZ Guns & Hunting lays out facts and commentary on the current position – to the best of our knowledge these items were correct as at the time of writing...

6 NZG&H #173 | JUL/AUG 2019 Y ACT OF PARLIAMENT, "...what do Police mean by “...in case THE COALITION you are eligible for GOVERNMENT, WITH compensation.” This suggests that NO OPPOSITION, HAS compensation is B DECLARED WHOLE CATEGORIES arbitrary and not all gun owners OF GUNS ILLEGAL AND MADE IT may be eligible." COMPULSORY FOR SHOOTERS TO HAND THEM IN FOR DESTRUCTION.

Meantime Police have told gun owners not to bring their now “illegal” firearms into the local police station at this time. Instead they are to complete an online form and wait to be contacted. Police advise: “Use Google Chrome or the latest version of Safari. You will receive a ‘Firearms Notification Activation’ confirmation email with a code. You will then be able to create a password to use with your verified email account to sign in.” You should also supply bank account details “...in case you are eligible for the buy-back compensation scheme.” If you are not computer savvy and/or don’t have the correct software you may not be able to follow these instructions. In that event call 0800 311 311 and ask for help. Police are presumably aware that the recent online nationwide census failed because one in seven people didn’t bother to, or couldn’t, fill in the forms. Online surveys cannot be relied upon to provide accurate information. Secondly – what do Police mean by “...in case you are eligible for compensation.” This suggests that compensation is arbitrary and not all gun owners may be eligible. Police explain that if you have already handed in a gun or guns (ie; prior to the commencement of the buy-back scheme) you may not be eligible for compensation. As a licensed firearm owner, what should you do right now? The best advice is – wait. The amnesty will run for six months from the time the buy-back scheme is put in place by regulation. Before the cut-off date you will be obliged to fill in the online form, but the processes of surrendering prohibited firearms, and receiving compensation for them, have yet to be announced...

NZGUNSANDHUNTING.CO.NZ 7 WHAT WE KNOW: THE SITUATION SO FAR – SSANZ Secretary Phil Cregeen reports as follows: Possession of a magazine like this in any calibre is now illegal, regardless of THE NEW ACT whether you have a gun that fits it. PASSED ON 12 WHAT IT MEANS APRIL MAKES MANY FOR YOU “...any rifle magazine GUNS PROHIBITED If you own a semi-automatic FIREARMS AND centrefire rifle or a semi-auto or holding more than LARGE CAPACITY pump action shotgun that holds 10 rounds and any MAGAZINES AS WELL more than 5 cartridges it is now a prohibited firearm, you can no shotgun magazine Six month amnesty announced longer use it and must keep it for handing in prohibited firearm securely stored until police tell holding more than 5 to police, originally expired 30 you how to surrender it. You September. Police now say, “Six should go to the Police website cartridges whether months from the date of the and register any of these guns Buy-Back announcement, which is using the online form. detachable or fixed still to be set.” Many other types of firearms have “Buy back” of prohibited firearm been caught up by this legislation due is now prohibited.” announced but no details yet. to the capacity of their magazines. The process of surrendering Put simply any rifle calibre magazine prohibited firearm is also still to be holding more than 10 rounds and any THE FUTURE announced. Police do not want them shotgun magazine holding more than OF FIREARM handed in at Police Stations. 5 cartridges whether detachable or OWNERSHIP The process of introducing the fixed is now prohibited. The second amendment to new Act is being challenged in Thus while a bolt, pump, or the Arms Act is expected to be Court by the Kiwi Party. lever-action firearm may not in itself announced in late June or July. Unintended consequences be prohibited, the capacity of its It may include: of the new Act: magazine may make it so, particularly if the magazine is an integral part „„Registration of all firearms, you will „„All parts for standard A cat firearms of the gun, such as a Winchester need to obtain a permit from police now require an import permit, lever-action. each time you wish to buy a gun. adding to the workload of Arms Officers and Customs. If you own a prohibited firearm „„Registration and restriction of there are certain exemptions that ammunition purchased. „„Confusion over what guns are allow you to keep them (eg; collectors actually prohibited. „„No Private sales – more expensive and pest control operators). You second hand guns? „„Delays in applying for permits will need to apply for an exemption „„No online gun sales – making it to import. endorsement to your licence, before harder to sell guns. „„Heavy-handed Police raids on the six month amnesty expires. „„Stricter storage requirements. licensed firearm owners. It is inevitable that additional „„ „„Most Couriers will no longer carry import permit requirements will Stricter vetting for licence firearms and those that do will only result in longer delivery times for applicants. carry from Dealer to Dealer. new guns coming to NZ. „„Deactivation of C Cat firearms.

8 NZG&H #173 | JUL/AUG 2019 JUST SOME OF THE TYPES OF FIREARMS BANNED UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION

Knives like this could be a thing of the past if the urban liberal elite gets it’s way... GUNS FIRST, KNIVES NEXT – HOW CRAZY CAN THINGS GET? We don’t know – we haven’t reached the bottom yet...! London’s Independent newspaper reports as follows: BRITISH JUDGE CALLS FOR KITCHEN KNIVES TO BE BLUNTED A judge has called for kitchen knives to be blunted amid the increase in Britain’s knife crime. Judge Nic Madge has suggested introducing a scheme whereby members of the public could get their kitchen knives taken to centres where they would be ground down to have round ends. “Why do we need kitchen knives with points? How often does a domestic chef use the point of an 8 – or 10-inch knife? Rarely, if at all,” Judge Madge said at Luton Crown Court. He added that there had been a huge increase in knife crime across the country, with at least 77 knife-related incidents in Bedfordshire alone, where the Judge resides. “I urge all those with any role in relation to knives ... to consider preventing the sale of long pointed knives, except in rare, defined, circumstances.” “Police could organise a programme whereby the owners of kitchen knives, which have been properly and lawfully bought for culinary purposes, could be taken somewhere to be modified, with the points being ground down and rounded.”

NZGUNSANDHUNTING.CO.NZ 9 “On the one STATISTICS – hand police statistics GUN CRIME reveal that Police Minister gun crime Stuart Nash ~ “Anyone rates are who’s bought an assault NUMBERS rifle (since the mosque very low, attack) should be un deaths in New Zealand have through the use of expecting a visit from decreased over the years, falling from a firearms,” Nash said, while on the the police. So should gun G high of 140 in 1988 to a low of 43 in 2011. expressing concern. other hand clubs. If you’ve bought an Over recent years, despite large increases in our In contrast, Stuff AR15 or an assault rifle total population and in the number of gun reports: “The murder rate the Police with your stock-standard licences issued, they have hovered in the mid-50s has hit a 40-year-low.” firearm licence and you Association don’t hand it in, expect a (see below). Sadly, we can expect to see a big “Figures to June 2018 knock on the door.” spike in the number for the 2019 year. put the number of and the he told Newshub Nation. murders in New Zealand Minister The majority of gun many see this as arising in 2017 at 35 – a rate deaths are suicides, the from self-interest. The of just seven for every suggest gun ANNUAL majority of gun murders crimes the Association million people.” crime is a FIREARM are gang-related. refers to are often On the one hand DEATHS Gun crimes involving technical or procedural police statistics reveal crisis THAT the licensed firearm breaches, not involving that gun crime rates are demands 2015: 55 community are rare. threats or violence. very low, while on the “Stuff” reports that of In a recent interview, other hand the Police swift and 2014: 52 the 84 cases where the Police Minister Stuart Association and the decisive 2013: 59 killer’s licensing status Nash says he plans Minister suggest gun action.” 2012: 53 was revealed, only 12 to push his fellow crime is a crisis that 2011: 43 were legally licensed. Cabinet Ministers for demands swift and The Police Association a firearms register. decisive action. 2010: 51 talks up the level of “I didn’t realise so 2009: 71 general gun crime but many people died 2008: 56 2007: 55 HOMICIDES AND RELATED OFFENCES ~ 1994-2014 2006: 58 2005: 55 160 – 2004: 48 2003: 55 140 – 2002: 60 2001: 60 120 – 2000: 52 1999: 54 100 – 1998: 84 1997: 70 80 – 1996: 66 1995: 80 60 – 1994: 92 1993: 92 40 – 1992: 122 1991: 106 20 – 1990: 108 1989: 90 0 – 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 1988: 140

10 NZG&H #173 | JUL/AUG 2019 THE STATISTICS

249,000 (approx.) 1,500,000 (est.) 12 TOTAL NUMBER TOTAL NUMBER HOMICIDES COMMITTED OF LICENSED OF FIREARMS IN BY LICENSED FIREARM FIREARM OWNERS CIRCULATION OWNERS 1983 ~ 2018

= 1homicide

PRIOR TO THE MOSQUE SHOOTING, OF 84 RECENT HOMICIDES, JUST 12 INVOLVED LICENSED FIREARM OWNERS.

POLICE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS JULY 2018 SUMMARY OF RECENT STATISTICS ABOUT VICTIMS OF MURDER, MANSLAUGHTER, AND INFANTICIDE: TABLE A.5 – WEAPON

MURDER MANSLAUGHTER TOTAL

11 0 11 FIREARM

5 0 5 STABBING/CUTTING WEAPON STABBING/CUTTING

8 12 20 OTHER WEAPON OTHER

11 1 12 NO WEAPON NO

= 2,000 licensed firearm owners = 5,000 firearms 35 13 48 TOTAL

NZGUNSANDHUNTING.CO.NZ 11 sector agencies could have taken to prevent the attack. „„What additional measures should be taken by State sector agencies to prevent such attacks in the future.

Brace yourself – this is what the government has The Commission chair, the Hon Sir William Young The Commission may in store for your prized guns. The media will love it – KNZM, is a Supreme Court Judge and former President of request information and images and TV footage like this will be presented over the Court of Appeal of New Zealand. He was appointed to and over again, particularly as the next election looms. the Supreme Court in June 2010. evidence directly from a wide range of sources, including the relevant State sector agencies HANDOVER THE listed in the Terms of Reference; New Zealand & BUY-BACK COMMISSION Muslim communities, and other sources. olice are not yet It is presently in a position “One OF ENQUIRY envisaged that the Royal P to advise gun commentator A Royal Commission of Inquiry Commission will follow owners what to do with an inquisitorial process their now prohibited has pointed into the Attack on Christchurch conducted in private. firearms, nor have out that this Mosques on 15 March 2019 was Members of the public any firm details about process is not may, however, make compensation (the established by an Order in Council written submissions. so-called “Buy Back”) a “buy-back” on 8 April 2019 by the Governor- It is also possible been released. One because the General, Dame . that public forums commentator has government may be set up. pointed out that this process is not a never owned he Commission NZG&H notes that NOTE: THE ROYAL “buy-back” because our guns in is to investigate that the government’s COMMISSION IS the government never events leading priorities are to respect the first place T SPECIFICALLY owned our guns in the up to the attack and Muslim communities EXCLUDED FROM first place – in reality it – in reality the performance of first, and the people of COMMENTING is enforced confiscation it is enforced State sector agencies New Zealand second. ON THE ARMS of private property. confiscation in relation to those ACT AND ITS of private events. The purpose TERMS OF SUBSEQUENT Police are adamant is to reassure the New REFERENCE: AMENDMENT. that they do not want Zealand public that all The matters of public property.” TOR 5.2: guns brought to their reasonable measures importance the inquiry is To avoid doubt, police stations, instead that is – dealers are being taken by directed to examine are: recommendations they say, “Complete the could receive and State sector agencies may concern online form and wait presumably store the to ensure their safety „„Which relevant State legislation (but for instructions.” confiscated guns on and protection. sector agencies knew not firearms As indicated in the behalf of Police. Not about the activities legislation), intro item, how much surprisingly, dealers The Commission is to of the individual 6.3: compensation is to be have a number report by 10 Dec 2019. now charged with The inquiry must paid (ie; who will value or reservations The approach of the attack on the not inquire into, all the thousands of about this. These the Commission, so its Al-Noor Mosque determine, or individual firearms), include: additional website says, will be and the Linwood report in an interim and whether all gun workload (extra “...based on fairness and Islamic Centre in or final way on, owners will be eligible staffing required), impartiality and respect Christchurch, before any of the for a pay-out, has yet to extra storage space, for all those affected by that attack. following matters: be decided. extra bookwork, and the attack, particularly „„What actions (if any) (a) amendments to NZG&H is advised questions about who the victims and their relevant State sector firearms legislation that Police have met will be liable if guns families, Muslim agencies took in light (because the with firearm dealers and are misplaced and communities, the of that knowledge. Government is run past them the idea or claims of damage wider Christchurch „„Whether there separately pursuing that they could act as to them are made community and the were any additional this issue): agents for the buy-back, pre-valuation? people of New Zealand.” measures that State

12 NZG&H #173 | JUL/AUG 2019 On the face of it this 10-round magazine is still legal because it is installed in a bolt-action rifle. However, If the same mag is dual-purpose, and will also fit into semi-auto rifles, the magazine itself then becomes illegal. NEW AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW – MID-MAY

ew amendments holding more than 10 Rimfire magazines .22 to the Arms Act cartridges – therefore it or lesser calibre holding impose a wide is a prohibited make more than 10 rounds N Possessing high range of prohibitions. and model of firearm. are prohibited. capacity rimfire It was a rushed job so SECOND: The specific The Act provides that magazines like these poorly drafted that the firearm has a prohibited “prohibited magazines” is now illegal. impact is not entirely after-market magazine also includes any clear, but SSANZ inserted, making magazine declared by expects Police to that specific firearm the Governor-Governor means a detachable calibre conversion kits; push the line as far as prohibited at that [sic] by Order in Council sight. Sights are carbine stock. they can. This is how moment. to be a prohibited specifically included but This also encompass SSANZ sees it. There is a big magazine. This can also this may only apply to parts for pistols. difference between these include pistol magazines. inbuilt sights. Parts for 2A PROHIBITED two scenarios in terms of .22 semi-autos with less 2D PROHIBITED SEMI-AUTOMATIC impact on the number 2C PROHIBITED than a 10 round mag AMMUNITION RIFLES of firearms that are PARTS would be permitted, as The Act provides that All semi-automatic potentially prohibited. All parts for an A cat they are not be part of a prohibited ammunition rifles chambered in a firearm now require prohibited firearm. means any ammunition centrefire calibre are SHOTGUNS a permit to import Parts are defined as: declared by the prohibited, irrespective All detachable (where previously butt, stock, magazine, Governor-Governor of calibre and whether magazine semi-auto only the action silencer, sight, for any [sic] by Order in Council they use detachable or shotguns, such as a required a permit). firearm that has upper to be prohibited integrated magazines. Saiga 12 gauge are PROHIBITED: and lower receivers, ammunition. This can prohibited. Semi-auto A component that can including the upper and also include pistol RIFLES – .22 AND and pump action be applied to enable, lower receivers. calibre ammunition. UNDER (.17 HMR ETC) shotguns with tubular or take significant steps Includes anything, This is the real A rifle of .22 or lower non-detachable towards enabling, a such as: bolt carrier sting in the tail of the calibre that “has” a magazines that hold no firearm to be fired with group parts; trigger new amendments. magazine capable of more than 5 cartridges or near to, a semi- group parts; lower Now, Cabinet can holding more than are permitted. automatic or parts kits; barrel; gas prohibit “any and 10 cartridges, whether automatic action. block; gas tube; folding all” magazines and or not detachable, 2B PROHIBITED The definition reaches or telescopic stock; ammunition, at the is prohibited. MAGAZINES to those parts “...that magazine loader; sub drop of a hat. SSANZ asks: What All rifle magazines although not essential does “...has a magazine over 10 rounds are for the discharge by the capable of...” actually prohibited. prohibited firearm ... are Ed: The above amendments have been edited mean? Two options: Shotgun magazines designed or intended by NZG&H for clarity. The official wording was FIRST: The firearm has a whether or not to be an integral part considerably more muddled. We left in the factory magazine (made detachable that hold of the prohibited “Governor-Governor” wording to establish just by the manufacturer or more than 5 cartridges firearm”. It is not clear how poorly our new laws are being drafted. a third party) capable of are prohibited. yet whether or not this

NZGUNSANDHUNTING.CO.NZ 13 police to examine your security at any time; it is up to you to comply POLICE with the requirements. You need to produce your firearms licence on demand, but you RAIDS have 7 days to do this if it cannot be located actually in possession numbers (collar tags) of ince the mosque 29 does not apply to A-cat immediately (s 26 2 of of the items they are all police staff attending attack Police have firearms. There is no such the Arms Act 1983). requesting at the time of the search. S made a number thing as police ‘...doing their demand. of intrusions onto an audit’ or ‘...doing an SECTION 2: IF YOU You must produce SECTION 4: POLICE properties on firearm inspection’ for the renewal ARE AN ENDORSED your firearms licence on ASK YOU TO related matters. One of of a firearm licence.” FIREARMS LICENCE demand by the police, ATTEND THE POLICE the most prominent, When dealing with HOLDER but you have 7 days to STATION AND/OR on a Canterbury home, police be aware of your Police can knock comply . Remember COME TO YOUR has been described rights, but be polite at all on your door at a there is no such thing as HOME AND WISH as a “raid” involving times. Frontline police reasonable time and a register of firearms in YOU TO ANSWER multiple vehicles and are just doing their job. ask to see individual NZ. The police record of QUESTIONS, EG. armed officers. firearms that you hold as endorsed firearms is their YOUR NAME IS ON A WHAT TO DO IF an endorsed person only own creation and is of “LIST” OF PEOPLE TO In this incident POLICE CALL ON YOU (ie. not your standard little concern to you. BE SPOKEN TO ETC the subject of the – THE RULES FOR firearms). The police can The permission for Get the name and raid is said to have ALL CONTACT: enter at all reasonable you to possess a firearm QID number (collar purchased an AR15 and „„Be polite but firm times to inspect your comes from your tag) of the officer. Ask ammunition from Gun „„Ask to see safe and security – 5 am endorsement and permit for identification. Ask – City, Christchurch on identification in the morning is not to (procure) possess that “Under which statutory the morning after the „„Record the name a reasonable time. For individual firearm. authority are you mosque attack. Given of the officer and example, if you have requiring me to answer that police were still on their station a sick child or guests SECTION 3: THE these questions?” Politely high alert, and it had not „„Ask why they are there asleep in the room POLICE ENTER YOUR and calmly refuse to yet been established „„Ask them to refer to where the firearms are HOME VIA A SEARCH answer any questions with confidence that the the exact statutory stored it is therefore not WARRANT, OR and ... ask them to gunman acted alone, authority they are a reasonable time for UNDER THE SEARCH leave your property the victim’s actions could using to visit your you as the homeowner. & SURVEILLANCE immediately. Call a not be described as wise. home or to ask you Politely ask them to ACT WARRANTLESS lawyer who can advise What he did was not any questions come back later or set SEARCH OR ARMS or assist you with Official illegal, but given that 50 „„Record the a time with them for ACT PROVISIONS Information Act requests people had been shot conversation (for another day. FOR SEARCH concerning the reasons dead with semi-autos your own notes However, if it is a Ask – “Under which for their visit and IPCA the day before and the and records) reasonable time you must enactment are you complaints if appropriate. city was still in a state of allow them to inspect searching my home?” Record the tension, buying an AR SECTION 1: IF YOU your endorsed firearms Ask for a copy of any conversations (for you that morning probably ARE A STANDARD (pistols, restricted search warrant. Do not own notes and records). wasn’t a good idea. FIREARMS LICENCE weapons, prohibited answer any questions In November 2016 HOLDER firearms or prohibited and say “no comment Barrister Nicholas Taylor Police cannot enter magazines) and your thank you”, “I do not provided the following your home uninvited safe(s) and security. wish to make any information in regards to inspect your firearms It is an offence to statement or answer any to the newly amended or gun safe unless refuse to produce a of your questions”. You Act 2019: they have reasonable pistol, prohibited firearm have a right to silence. “There is no lawful belief an offence has or restricted weapon to If you are detained mechanism or lawful right been committed. This the police on demand, lawfully by the police for police to inspect your requires a degree of or to refuse their request you must give your A-category firearms or evidence to support to inspect it and the name, address and date storage at any time. it. At no time can the security for it (s 55b), but of birth, but nothing The above instructions It is a requirement of police photograph your this demand to inspect else. There is no such were prepared by Barrister your licence that you must firearms. At no time or produce is tempered thing as “off the record”. Nicholas Taylor L.LB as a fit and proper person can they record the by s 31A (1) (b), and Ask to call your lawyer on behalf of COLFO. comply with the security serial numbers of your must be a reasonable without delay. Record the NZG&H has published provisions outlined in standard firearms. There time to the home owner, name of the OC (officer in them with permission. Regulation 19. Regulation is no requirement for the and only if you are charge) and record QID www.firearmslawyer.co.nz

14 NZG&H #173 | JUL/AUG 2019 FIREARM REGISTRATION: 1 The government is proposing the registration of all firearms – (with little sign of political opposition) –

he Police Minister and the Police Association seldom if ever occurs. are both in favour or full gun registration, Police cannot supply which in effect means establishing records a single incidence in Pictured here is a Canadian registration form, no longer T in use after the programme was cancelled due to huge of the ownership, location and serial number of which our previous cost over-runs and no tangible results. every gun in the country, then maintaining those registration system records accurately. For some inexplicable reason solved a crime. that defies years of contrary experience, the HOW ACCURATE? authorities have convinced themselves that this COLFO COMMENTS “Registration, Former Inspector and will be cheap and easy. Registration won’t COLFO says, Police National Arms prevent terrorist Control Manager, Joe The logic behind the owners should they be incidents. For is likely Green says (as reported push for registration, found at a crime scene. registration to prevent to be very in Stuff on May18) “..a as stated by Police The reality is that for a mass shooting all the expensive March 2019 audit of the Minister Stuart Nash, registration to have any following must happen: Australian arms registry is that having their value in solving crime the and even with in NSW showed only a guns recorded will following must occur: 1. Prior to the event “user pays” 50% accuracy rate.” It convince gun owners of the individual must seems that many Aussie the need to store them A. The gun must left clearly signal an (if the price is gun owners haven’t securely, because if at the crime scene intention to do harm too high, cost bothered updating they go missing the (this is rare). in some way. their records, and Police owners can now be B. The offender must 2. Law enforcement will act as a haven’t followed up. held responsible. not be arrested at must act quickly disincentive That reason however, the crime scene on the threat to register) it THE ALTERNATE which is the only serious alongside the gun. If and remove the VIEW one on offer, is thin. he is the information individual’s firearms. will require Not all knowledgable Secure firearm storage is would be redundant. 3. The firearm registry Police money firearm owners are already mandatory as is C. The recovered must be up to date apposed to registration. reporting lost or stolen firearm was not only and accurate. and time to In a recent letter to firearms, there is little in the possession 4. The individual must enforce. “ Wellington’s Dom Post, evidence that expanding of the offender, but be detained in some John Howat, respected and/or tightening laws belonged to him/her. way, and/or denied former chairman of ever made them more D. The firearm access to firearms “telegraphing” a COLFO, commented, effective. The typical recovered was the from other sources. risk to society. “...the main purpose result is simply that more actual firearm used Furthermore, the of registration is people end up in breach in the offence. COLFO considers this registry must always not solving crimes of the law. Human E. The firearm series of events unlikely. be 100% up to date, or returning lost behaviour can only be recovered had a Registration, COLFO if not it will achieve firearms – it is about manipulated so far. serial number that says, is likely to be very nothing. Anyone with increasing owner/user The arguments was readable and expensive and even with endorsed firearms will responsibility.” against full registration correctly recorded “user pays” (if the price is have had the experience In that respect are far more compelling. elsewhere. too high, cost will act as of an inspection where therefore, John is in F. The firearm owner a disincentive to register) firearms they no longer agreement with the CHAS FORSYTH had supplied his/ it will require Police own are still recorded Police Minister. John also COMMENTS: her correct name money and time to under their name. Given suggests that private Full firearm and address, thereby enforce. These resources the current shambolic sales should be halted, registration is supposed leading police to would be better spent state of import licences and that guns should to aid the tracking the offender. on investigating the COLFO believes there be sold only through of privately owned theft and/or illegal is no possibility of licensed dealers, a move firearms, enabling the In practice the above importation of firearms, maintaining an that will not find favour tracing of them to their sequence of events or those who are accurate record. with many shooters.

NZGUNSANDHUNTING.CO.NZ 15 THE POLITICS (AND THE MEDIA) It isn’t just about guns – it’s about the future direction of NZ society and who controls it...

any educated is dominated by news – “povedee is to dismissed, even treated city dwellers, liberal thought (now be eliminaded.” “It is worth with contempt, although M ie; the being renamed as Imitation is the they have done no so-called urban liberal “progressive”), and sincerest form of flattery. noting wrong. In addition, elite, see only a very young people emerging Mimicking the Prime that our taxpayers will have to limited use for gun from that system Minister’s lazy speech politicians stump up with hundreds ownership in today’s dominate the internet patterns indicates of millions of dollars society (they accept the and social media. The support for her, and by have allowed better spent elsewhere, need for pest control same young people also implication, approval of the activities while the liberal left but their preferred flow into employment her policies – it suggests tightens its grip on the option is poison). in the print and TV that she and the of just one political scene. They are also opposed media, which give our newsreaders are in sync. man, BRENTON It is worth noting to big game animal news outlets a strong, But back to the topic TARRANT, to that our politicians hunting, regarding grass-roots left-wing of the new gun laws. have allowed the it as a primitive bias. Experienced negatively activities of just one activity that belongs older reporters and/ THE CONSPIRACY impact a man, Brenton Tarrant, to a by-gone era. It is or commentators are THEORY to negatively impact a literally true that many being phased out, and NZG&H does not very large very large sector of the urban people, often those who survive must subscribe to conspiracy sector of the community. And our contributors to animal follow the new rules. theories, but many community. politicians didn’t just welfare charities, are They even copy the commentators have allow him to get away so opposed to gun speech patterns and pointed out that the And our with this, they jumped ownership that they’d mannerisms of mosque shootings politicians at the opportunity. rather see deer slowly the young. did not involve New A western democracy poisoned to death than The Prime Minister tells Zealanders. Few if any didn’t just with a long history of die a quick death by us that, “...eliminading of the victims were allow HIM to fighting to preserve rifle-shot. poverdee is her prioridee,” New Zealand-born get away individual freedom has and lo and behold, citizens, and neither was surrendered a significant There isn’t space to that evening a senior the perpetrator. Our with this, proportion of it virtually debate these opinions newsreader, who ought country was simply the they jumped overnight, with the here, NZG&H simply to know better having location of the crime. unanimous support notes that these spent his career speaking The net result is that the at the of the mainstream attitudes prevail. Our correctly – says, “...and country’s 250,000 lawful opportunity.” political parties education system now some “impordind” firearm owners are being and the media.

16 NZG&H #173 | JUL/AUG 2019 THE PARTIES

David Seymour, , The Prime Minister, James Shaw, , , the sole opposition a leader of few whose government whose Green Party who agreed with whose party put the MP to act with words, most of them has dedicated itself would like to see all Duncan Garner that, Greens in power, integrity. undecipherable. to, or reaffirmed New Zealand’s game “...the gun lobby can broke its undertaking its commitment to, animals gone and get stuffed.” to end aerial 1080 making New Zealand: guns kept only in the drops, and sided ACT “The audience nuclear-free, smoke- hands of the police with the new gun The ACT Party is laughed free, pest-free, carbon- and military. only Police and restrictions... hanging on by its when the two free, road-deaths the military fingernails, with free, poverty-free, possessing guns. MPS called hate speech-free and “The Greens “where was just one MP, David the Bill’s (almost) gun-free. are opposed NZ First MP Seymour, having THE KIWI , the courage to passing a to private PARTY stand up against the contemptuous the next election, firearm The new Kiwi supposedly a undermining of the violation having broken ownership in Party was recently shooter and democratic process. of due major promises general and formed to represent a supporter democratic to its supporters prefer to see gun owners and of private NATIONAL process, (see the Opinion all power those supporting firearm The National panel at the end freedom of speech. ownership, Party faces a self- a bit rich of this feature). concentrated In addition to inflicted backlash considering Winston Peters in the hands of bringing legal when he was from small town and they has long been the State, with proceedings against needed?” rural New Zealand. themselves considered only Police the Amendments At a recent meeting voted for it.” a political and the to the Arms Act it his website, the (May 13th) in Te opportunist, but military filed an application popular New Awamutu, National few expected him to possessing to review the Zealand “FishnHunt” MPs for it. NZG&H notes compromise this far. Censor’s decision forum. In 1990 he and Chris Bishop that National MPs It was his decision guns.” to prohibit Tarrant’s was appointed by faced a hostile made no attempt to side with Labour Manifesto. The Kiwi the Conservation reception from a to alter the scope and the Greens campaigning to Party policy includes Minister to help set 300 strong audience of the Bill nor in the first place, have the MMP binding referenda, up the NZ Fish & packing the RSA’s slow down its placing them in threshold reduced. replacing 1080 with Game Council. Party main hall. Both implementation... power despite the At present a party the bounty and co-leader David Kuriger and Bishop, There is no fact that in the last must receive 5% of helping organise Haynes recently who had anticipated one in National’s election National the vote before it a working group wrote an excellent a much smaller line-up who gives received a higher can be automatically of firearms owners piece, published turnout, tried in any indication of proportion of the represented in organisations, in the Dominion vain to shift the having a grasp of vote. The Coalition Parliament without to put forward a Post and elsewhere, blame onto Jacinda the situation, or any government winning an electoral measured approach touching on the Ardern, slating moral or political therefore, is his seat. They want it to modification of issue of deer her for rushing compass. Simon creation. And where lowered to 4% or the Arms Act. being poisoned the enactment Bridges is a leader was NZ First MP Ron less, to ensure they with 1080 on of the new Arms seldom capable of Mark, supposedly remain in power THE Molesworth Station. Bill. The audience expressing himself a shooter and a even if the public OUTDOORS He believes deer laughed when the articulately. supporter of private turns against them. PARTY to be a valuable two MPS called firearm ownership, The Greens are A small group game resource and the Bill’s passing NZ FIRST when he was opposed to private with their hearts regards hunting as a contemptuous Ancient needed? firearm ownership and minds in the an integral part of violation of due history! Many in general and right place, founded our heritage. David democratic commentators THE GREENS prefer to see all by Alan Simmons is a member of process, a bit rich believe that NZ The Greens, power concentrated of Turangi. both Federated considering they First is heading along with NZ in the hands of Alan is well Mountain Clubs themselves voted for annihilation at First, are currently the State, with known through and Nelson NZDA.

NZGUNSANDHUNTING.CO.NZ 17 Does this look like a military-style semi-auto to you? Probably not, but if you own a Henry rifle dating back to the 19th century you’ll still have to surrender it to police – its magazine holds more than 10 rounds.

“Few politicians showed any understanding destroyed. In similar fashion, collectable of the 19th century lever- ramifications action rifles with of the new fixed tube magazines legislation, holding more than 10 rounds, and valuable nor it seems, reproductions of them did police from companies like attempt to Uberti and Pedersoli, enlighten THE GUN are also due for the them.” crusher, unless their mags can be modified. “BUY-BACK” The general public like KiwiBuild? believes that only The debacle military-style semi- bypasses party lines. automatics have been Shooters might have DEBACLE – banned, they have expected National’s no idea how far the “spokesperson” on government has gone. firearms, Chris Bishop “The general public believes The destruction of MP, to at least have that only military-style semi- collectable firearms that consulted with the have no connection with firearms community, automatics have been banned, the mosque shooting however briefly, before constitutes vandalism rushing to support the they have no idea how far the on a grand scale. It is an government’s Order in unwarranted attack on Council, but that didn’t government has gone.” the private property of happen. Politicians of law-abiding citizens. all stripes (other than ith the Christchurch mosque tragedy as are many modern Few if any ACTS’s David Seymour) fresh in their minds most firearm owners semi-automatic hunting politicians showed any almost fell over W accepted the inevitable and made a rifles with small capacity understanding of the themselves in eagerness commitment to comply with the ban on what they magazines. None of ramifications of the new to be seen to be doing believed to be military style semi-automatic rifles. these are military-style in legislation, nor it seems, something, no matter either form or function. did police attempt to that they hadn’t given That acceptance to include many rare, The proposed enlighten them. The themselves time to however is now severely highly-prized firearms legislation now involves gun buy-back scheme think it through. compromised. The dating back a century any semi-automatic therefore is likely to The hunting and Coalition government, or more, stored securely rifle with a “detachable become a bureaucratic shooting community has in a rush to politicize in gunsafes for decades. magazine”. Thousands tangle involving been comprehensively public anxiety, dismissed Unless the owner is of these, including huge cost overruns, betrayed by NZ First 13,000 submissions a licensed collector, all BARs, Remington legal challenges, and on two levels; first overnight and has and only a relatively 742 Woodsmasters, a significant level of Winston Peters’ party unintentionally banned small number of Winchester Model non-compliance. promised, pre-election, tens of thousands of New Zealand’s 250,000 100s, and Heckler & How long will it be to ban aerial 1080, then valuable older rifles. firearm owners are, Koch 630s for example, before the government reneged once it got The hasty, these guns are now to are now supposedly calls for a “reset”, just as into power, and now Mr ill-conceived legislation be trashed under the to be bought by the it has done with other Peters has supported has been extended guise of public safety, government and major policy failures, Labour and the Greens’

18 NZG&H #173 | JUL/AUG 2019 That is what happens Hunting rifles like this when shooters, Heckler & Koch Model 630 hunters, dealers and Marlin Model 60 .22, and even police are now on the banned list. arms officers are excluded from the legislative process. When those with no knowledge on the topic try to create stifle free speech, and in laws the results Say goodbye to your particular, it will make it Marlin Model 60 .22lr are predictably but I can reveal my own legally risky to criticise unless you have the terrible. Bad ideas intentions. I will not tube mag professionally politicians or their do not become good gun ban without a again vote for any of the shortened to 10 rounds. bureaucratic agencies. ideas because of moment’s hesitation. three Coalition parties, As it stands its 14-round Also in the pipeline is the strength of the Likewise, National, nor for the National mag place it on the full firearm registration emotional drive supposedly a centre- Party. Purely as a protest, banned list too. – a costly imposition on behind them. right party with my vote will go to one firearm owners. Police strong ties to the rural of the minor parties, dissenting voice, they know it will not achieve The Government community, has turned the choices are ACT, have irresponsibly anything in terms of should not be against a large section the Outdoors Party, or ignored the submissions public safety, but they’re afraid to consult the shooting community of its voter base. It will possibly the new Kiwi and passed a law most recommending it anyway. and involve us in be a long time before Party – although I wish of them neither read All in all it’s not looking the process. It is shooters forget Judith they’d chosen another nor understood. good. The current the only way it Collins publicly agreeing name. I will be checking In my view a protest is government is largely will achieve buy-in with Duncan Garner with these parties more than justified. disarming its citizens among the shooting that, “...guns owners can later for an update on On another note, the while attempting to community and go and get stuffed.” their post-ban firearm Coalition government silence us at the same build a system that Where to now? I can’t policies. Some might and its supporters time. Meanwhile the works. A robust tell people how to vote see this as a wasted are also proposing to so-called opposition sits system is what in the next election, vote, but I would rather tighten the laws on on its hands. gives people the risk wasting my vote what they call “Hate Let me finish with a confidence that than giving it to any Speech”. This might well-reasoned quote firearms licence Popular bush rifles of the current mob. sound reasonable, (opposite ) from the holders are not a like the .308 Winchester Collectively they have but who defines what Farmers Weekly of 6 May Model 100 (bottom)and threat to their safety the Ruger .44 Mag carbine acted like frightened “hate” really is? There (lightly abridged): because, let’s face it, (below) are now “illegal” rabbits. As a group, is a suspicion that the Peter Maxwell the licence holders firearms destined for with just ACT’s lone new law will be used to Assoc. Editor didn’t let a terrorist the crusher. slip through the cracks. FOOTNOTE: Perhaps as a result Meaningful of consultation, consultation will Police have go a long way announced that towards restoring the modification mutual respect of magazines to between shooters limit their capacity and police that has will be accepted, systematically been provided the destroyed over modifications the last few years. are permanent Aren’t we and carried out all supposed professionally. to be on the same team?

NZGUNSANDHUNTING.CO.NZ 19 REGISTRATION: 2 he question of firearm registration has been visited a number of times in the T history of this magazine, particularly in the page 2 editorials in issues #43 (Nov/Dec 1997), #49 (Nov/Dec 1998), and again in issue #52 (May/June 1999) but recent events have brought the debate to the surface again. Commentators often pose the issue in the form of a question – dogs are registered, cars are registered, why can’t guns be registered? The answer is – they can be, but the results are unlikely to achieve what the authorities hope for. One of the reasons gun registration doesn’t work is because guns are invisible. Police acknowledge that there may be as many as 1.5 million guns in New Zealand, yet the fact is that a very large section of the public has never actually seen a gun, nor ever will. They’ve seen them on TV and in photos in the newspapers, but they’ve never laid eyes on a real one. Even those who have seen, or perhaps even handled a gun when they were $168 MILLION younger – during a holiday on a farm perhaps – may not have seen another for decades. FOR GUN “Police acknowledge that there may be as many as 1.5 BUY-BACK million guns in New Zealand ... yet a large section of the Police Minister Stuart public has never seen one..” Nash as announced If your neighbour kept 10 dogs on his property you’d know it – if he kept 10 cars that $168 million has you’d know that too, but if he had 10 guns, or 20, you wouldn’t have a clue. A person can own been allocated in the and shoot guns all his life without anybody else realising it, including his workmates and budget to fund the gun his neighbours. City people register their dogs because in buy-back and associated an urban environment they cannot hide them. They register their cars because without the administration costs. sticker on their windshield they will inevitably be picked up. These factors don’t apply to SSANZ and COLFO guns. You can’t force people to register things nobody knows they own, therefore gun representatives believe registration is very difficult to police effectively. If registration is implemented, and say 1.1 that the actual costs million guns are entered into the system, will police be satisfied that their job is done, or will they will be much higher. forever worry about the hundreds of thousands olice admit they have no real idea how many guns are more that may (or may not) be “missing”? involved or what the final costs will be, but it seems they That’s why our current system – licensing the aren’t worried because they know the government will individual, is probably a better way to go. P pay whatever it takes, even if it’s twice as much. Of course from now on guns could be registered at the time they are purchased from The Minister says that the new gun buy-back is an “investment” a dealer, but that just leaves the small problem that will allow Police to strengthen the framework to “control the of the up to 1.5 million unregistered guns out use of firearms”, and begin the next stage of reforms. there already.

20 NZG&H #173 | JUL/AUG 2019 CONTACTS: THER THAN THE HORRIFIC HUMAN TRAGEDY, THE GREATEST TRAGEDY THIS EVIL ACT HAS PROMPTED, IS OTHE ABUSE OF POWER AND THE LYNCHING OF A MINORITY – GUN OWNERS. A POPULAR VIEW IS NOT NECESSARILY A CORRECT OR FAIR VIEW. A LYNCH MOB IS IN AGREEMENT, BUT IT IS NOT RIGHT.

Persistent attacks on guns and gun users by Greg O’Connor and Chris Cahill sowed seeds which were cultivated by an emotional, not rational, media and then found fertile ground in the rag-tag group who manoeuvred themselves into control LISA HANSEN ~ BARRISTER BA LLB of our country. THOSE REQUIRING ADVICE ABOUT HOW THE ARMS (PROHIBITED FIREARMS, Gun owners must learn that it’s not enough to be confident in MAGAZINES, AND PARTS) AMENDMENT ACT the justness of our actions and the wisdom of our government. 2019 AFFECTS THEM CAN CONTACT LISA: The public perception of the “Police view” has been hijacked by the views of its two trade union leaders. Many law-abiding Phone | 04 914 1052 policemen are losing their guns too and are just as gutted as we are. Mobile | 021 024 13822 Email | [email protected] We are a group of 250,000 shooters, not counting the Website | www.bcomm.nz myriads who have been appalled by the frightening mechanisms of this government. We need to be sure our parliamentarians know:

„„It is not right to punish the law-abiding. „„The vetting system failed, not the gun laws. „„We have proved that our society is safe with the current laws. „„No law protects us from a determined madman. „„Stop wasting our money and resources on the wrong thing. „„Fight drugs, teenage suicide, neglect of children.

It has been said that 13 letters from concerned women prompted the 1983 Arms Act Review. We can write more than 13 letters. We can speak to more than 13 MPs. We can fight emotion with reason. NICHOLAS TAYLOR ~ BARRISTER BA LLB Gun City, Hunting & Fishing and other dealers worked with 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN the accountancy firm, KPMG, to decide values on firearms to FIREARMS CASES, FIREARMS LICENCES, be confiscated. KPMG acted wisely and fairly. The government COURT CHARGES, FISH & GAME, LEGAL has chosen these advisors well, with the main aim of achieving OPINIONS, CUSTOMS AND IMPORT maximum compliance by fair compensation. PERMITS, NATIONWIDE REPRESENTATION. Firearms dealers have been helping the Police with designing a programme to enable the receipt of firearms and payment Mobile | 021 362 123 Email | [email protected] of compensation. That appears to be with the use of specific Website | www.firearmslawyer.co.nz “buy-back stations,” Police stations and firearms dealers. Gun City is encouraging a web-based management system rather than a paper-based system. This will not happen quickly. The 1983 changes took ten years, so it is not surprising that the original estimate of six months SSANZ has already been amended to “at least”. sportingshooters.nz We all hope for a realisation of the folly and correction to the policy. National MPs are our best avenue; Ron Mark and David Seymour too. COLFO It’s heart-warming to see that so many shooters are already colfo.org.nz changing to other guns and even other shooting options. The good ol’ Kiwi bloke is irrepressible. We still have the best country in the world for so many shooting activities and there is no doubt NZDA that there will be more game animals and pests than before. deerstalkers.org.nz Please! Write that email, make that phone call or visit to your MP. Let’s help stop the nonsense and put NZ’s efforts into pursuits that really will improve “Godzone” GAC David Tipple nzgac.org.nz

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