The Arms Act Rewrite of 2025 is out and there is work to do, and when I say work, I mean work, which includes every licence holder who is serious about firearm ownership.
I’m not just thinking about myself and my equipment, but everyone both now and in the future, because the anti-crowd aren’t about to miss the chance to twist things their way. The only thing that will counter them is a better argument using evidence and facts, backed by bigger numbers than they have or can come up with.
We have some very good people on our side, Pistol NZ, COLFO, NZDA to name just three organisations but they need both help and backing. The more support in numbers and cash means they can get legal help.
Ministers like voters and with 230,000 licence holders plus their partners, imagine the effect if half sent a submission in.
There are seven parts to look at.
- Regulating firearm access, possession and use.
- Products controlled.
- Responsible possession and use.
- Supplying, importing and buying.
- Compliance, offences and penalties.
- Cost recovery.
- Agencies that control the possession and use of firearms.
You do not have to write about all parts, as you get to pick what’s important to you. Note there are a few things outside the scope of which we can submit on, as they are already being discussed, and this is enough for now.
Let’s look at a couple.
What’s the Purpose of the ACT?
To me it is about the promoting and access to firearms and their usage, be it for sport, hunting or collecting by civilians in New Zealand.
Yes, there needs to be some controls, but honest people do not deserve to be treated like criminals just because they have a firearm licence. Have licence holders made foolish mistakes? Yes, but we have a Crimes act to deal with the stupid.
Next, how about what they cover, the products they want to govern and how they define a firearm? This is very messy and has led to so many extra hoops to try and work through, and all for what?
Or Endorsements, how many do you think we need? We have 33 now on top of your standard licence. this is what happens when bureaucrats get a free hand. The paperwork and wasted time needed to keep track and process this for both those applying for an endorsement and those tasked to administer them. Not your problem?
There are nine linked to dealers and when it costs a business they must recover that money, which means it costs all of us.
Are we safer? Not at all and they aren’t even trying to hide that most of the changes over the last few years has been more about restrictions.
How about Cost Recovery? This is where it could end up hitting our pockets, there are a few problems here. Put the costs up and people may stop applying, but will they stop shooting and owning? That’s not a good outcome for anyone.
Yes, it’s complex but you don’t have to be a lawyer to write a submission. Keep it simple and short, look at what’s important to you and your family. This country has a strong history with firearms, and understanding how they fit into our lives is important and needs to be protected, and that means we all need to do our part.
EDITOR’S COMMENT
These two links take you firstly to the justice department site about firearms reform and then to the page which specifically covers making a submission – they are trying to make it as easy as possible for you to have your say.
As a responsible gun owner you need to take an interest in this reform and if appropriate make a submission.
