In November I was invited to give an oral submission to back up my written one for the Clubs and Ranges submission.
Basically, Clubs rely on Police to do their job of vetting people when giving out a licence, doing so is a vouch of good standing. Clubs need time to do that though, as we can only work with what we see on club days.
So, what has a Club done wrong? Not a damn thing. Delve into the history of shooting clubs all over the country, and they have all done well for a very long time with very little help other than from national bodies like Pistol NZ and NZDA.
Look at injuries on ranges, yes, there have been a few, but then look at the number of days people visit and shoot. Pistol NZ is 90,000+ per year and I don’t believe there is another sport can match attendance the same as shooting Clubs have. No other group of people get this dictatorship, where it is implied without police oversight it would be dangerous for the public. That’s crap! NZTA doesn’t tell car Clubs how to run their racetracks and does anyone check private mountain bike tracks, look at the accidents they have.
Another line that pissed me off is saying if Clubs were selling ammunition and didn’t report all sales to Police, then Gangs could just buy it from them. I find this personally offensive. I even said as much during my submission. A clumsy attempt to install fear in the public, but without evidence this has ever happened just a shameful comment from the desperate.
Visit a Club and range and see for yourself how safe they are. The Clubs are run by volunteers, who have always been professional about their sport and have years of experience. Let us get back to doing what we know better than any government department will ever know. I’m all for firearm safety, but for all the requirements and changes, nothing’s changed except it is a damn sight harder for those running our Clubs and that’s not productive or helpful, and what doesn’t help, hinders.
