New Zealand bans military-style semi-automatic and assault riflesSupport for Government's gun ban in wake of Christchurch shooting Collette Devlin·19:18, March 21st 2019New gun laws have received resounding cross party support and are being welcomed by rural and hunting sectors and gun sellers.
However, there is still sentiment that more could be done, with calls for an immediate gun register to be set up. However a register has not yet been ruled out.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Police Minister Stuart Nash announced a ban on military style, semi-automatic (MSSA) guns and assault rifles in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings.
COLLETTE DEVLIN/STUFFOn Thursday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (left) and Police Minister Stuart Nash (right) announced a ban on military style, semi-automatic guns and assault rifles in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings.
Related parts used to convert guns into MSSAs would also be banned as would all high-capacity magazines.
An amnesty would be put in place for weapons to be handed in, and Cabinet had directed officials to develop a buyback scheme, that could cost anywhere between $100m and $200m.
MARK TANTRUM/Getty ImagesThe National Party welcomed the reform of firearms legislation. Leader Simon Bridges said it agreed the public did not need access to military style semi-automatic weapons and supported them being banned along with assault rifles.
The prime minister said these moves were not the end of tightening the gun laws.
On Monday the Cabinet would consider further changes such as stronger and more effective gun licensing rules, storage requirements and penalties for not complying with regulations.
It would also look at future proofing the Arms Act to ensure it was able to respond to developments in technology and society.
KEVIN STENT/STUFFGreen Party Co-leader James Shaw said banning the guns was the first step towards systemic changes to New Zealand’s gun laws.
CROSS-PARTY SUPPORTNational has thrown its full weight behind the law changes with Leader of the Opposition Simon Bridges welcoming the reform of firearms legislation.
The party agreed the public did not need access to military style semi-automatic weapons and supported them being banned along with assault rifles.
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Collette Devlin • Senior journalist | Political reporter
collette.devlin@stuff.co.nz It also supported the Government's proposals to limit the access to other high powered semi-automatic weapons and ammunition.
"The terrorist attack in Christchurch last week has changed us as a nation. National has been clear since this devastating attack that we support changes to our regime and that we will work constructively with the Government."
Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said banning the guns was the first step towards systemic changes to New Zealand's gun laws.
ROSS GIBLINAct Party leader David Seymour said it was disappointing New Zealand was responding to a terrorist attack by abandoning its democratic processes and the rushed process could deny the public the chance to have their say.
"I am pleased that our Government is acting so swiftly and decisively to rid the country of firearms designed to kill people."
"We just wish it wasn't in such tragic circumstances. We owe it to the 50 people killed last Friday to ensure this never happens again."
The Government had heard from tens of thousands of New Zealanders across the country calling for the urgent need to reform our gun laws, he said.
National and the Green Party vowed to work constructively with the Government.
However, Act Party leader David Seymour said it was enormously disappointing New Zealand was responding to a terrorist attack by abandoning its democratic processes.
"The rushed process will deny the public the chance to have their say and could lead to legislation that fails to solve the problem. Trying to pass a law in less than three weeks is a recipe for bad lawmaking."
JOHN BISSET/STUFFMiles Anderson from Federated Farmers said the incoming new laws would not be popular among some of its members but it supported the government’s intention to toughen firearms regulations.
RURAL SUPPORTJacinda Ardern said she strongly believed that the vast majority of legitimate gun owners in New Zealand would understand the moves were in the national interest, and would take the changes in their stride.
When Australia undertook similar reforms, their approach was to allow for exemptions for farmers upon application, including for pest control and animal welfare.
SUPPLIEDFish and Game New Zealand chief executive Martin Taylor supported the move and said it was the right decision.
New Zealand has taken similar action to identify the weapons legitimately required in those areas, and preclude them, she said.
Federated Farmers conceded the incoming laws would not be popular among some of its members but supports the government's intention to toughen firearms regulations.
Rural Security spokesperson Miles Anderson said after a week of intense debate and careful consideration by elected representatives and staff, they believed this was the only practicable solution. Christchurch had changed everything, he said.
SuppliedIn addition to the changes announced today, Trade Me chief executive Jon Macdonald, repeated its call for a firearms register.
"We are trying to tread a responsible path. The wrong guns can't be allowed to get into the wrong hands."
"Our message to our members is to remember that at least this way, responsible gun owners are going to be recognised for being law-abiding, safety conscious and skilled."
It was pleased farmers were still going to have access to sporting semiautomatic rimfire rifles, such as the .22 long rifle, and sporting semiautomatic shotguns with limited magazine capacity, which would be needed for control of pets such as rabbits, possums, Canada geese.
There was a very limited need for centrefire semiautomatic firearms with large capacity magazines for professional pest management, he said.
"The surrender or destruction of firearms that don't meet the new controls will be disappointing to many farmers, and others but a clampdown is the responsible path to take to try to ensure we're never witness to this kind of tragedy on our shores again."
Federated Farmers intended to contribute to the Select Committee process.
Fish and Game New Zealand chief executive Martin Taylor supported the move and said it was the right decision.
"The ban on military rifles is the right decision and limiting shotgun magazine capacity is sensible.
"This move has the support of all political parties and the wider public and that is appropriate in the tragic circumstances in which it is being made."
"Parliament is to be commended for presenting a united front to ensure the safety of all New Zealanders."
GUN SELLERSDmitri Osipov, who owns online gun shops Arsenal and Lock, Stock and Barrel, said the changes announced on Thursday were what he expected.
He already had one customer ring up and cancel an order for an accessory for a military style rifle.
"Somebody ordered a high-capacity magazine and just a minute ago he said he had to cancel his order," Osipov said. He estimated about 90 per cent of people who bought the popular AR15 semi-automatic rifle - the same used by the accused gunman in the Christchurch terror attack - acquired it for the purpose of a sport called three gun shooting.
Three gun shooting is target shooting using a pistol, shotgun and semi automatic firearm, he said.
"The weapon isn't really suited for hunting or anything else so that is the main application for that rifle in this country."
He said his business would be largely unaffected by the changes because he dealt mostly in pistols and vintage firearms.
"I know there will be businesses that are affected more than us."
Trade Me chief executive Jon Macdonald said the company had pushed for stronger gun laws for a number of years and the announcement was a move in the right direction.
However, he repeated call for a firearms register.
"While we appreciate there is substantial work in the set-up of a register, we believe it would lead to a safer New Zealand in the long term."
The halt on sales of all semi-automatics on Trade Me would stay in place.
"Clearly New Zealand has indicated, since the horrific attacks on Friday, that it wants change and we support that."
ACADEMIC OPINION - NOT FAR ENOUGHUniversity of Otago Firearms researchers, Dr Marie Russell and Dr Hera Cook said the prompt response was a major step towards improving New Zealanders' safety and bringing it into line with other similar countries.
Cook was concerned by the "long list" of potential exemptions but looked forward to the Select Committee process, where she would like to see a close examination of evidence for them.
Russell said there was an open question over the intention of a gun register, which the researchers wanted to see.
She hoped to have the opportunity to contribute to the promised development of stronger more effective licensing rules, storage requirements and penalties for not complying with gun regulations.
"A register in which all firearms are recorded would help police trace guns used in crime and to identify individuals building up an arsenal," Cook said.
"When guns are registered, owners then become accountable for each firearm that they own. Furthermore, registration motivates gun owners to lock up their firearms, which is a major contribution to protecting household and wider public safety."
An Australia academic said the prime minister's approach did not go as far as Australia after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Griffith University homicide research unit director Dr Samara McPhedran said Australia essentially banned all semi-automatic firearms, both sporting configuration and military configuration. Australia also banned pump-action shotguns.
"New Zealand's changes do not go anywhere near that far."
University of Waikato law professor Alexander Gillespie said the announcement would start to address some of the loopholes in the law and sounded like it's a strong step forward.
"It will be good to see what additional steps are being considered with regard to other measures, such as registration of all remaining firearms."
He believed the vast majority of firearms owners would want to be fully compliant with the law, but there would be a small percentage of people who would hope to avoid the law.
To encourage compliance, the "expensive" compensation scheme needed to be fair and market-based for owners who had done nothing wrong, he said.
"There's a question on whether the Government will be trying to soak up some other firearms that are not covered by the ban, like old rifles. Best practice overseas would be to provide compensation for those firearms too. The Government should take the chance to soak up those things that are out there in the community. If you put on a financial incentive they will come back."
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