Thread: Initial info on pistol grip law change.

FWIW - it looks like this may, in the first instance, just be a tweak of the definition of "sporting configuration" under the current Arms Act 1983 - Rather than action under the newly introduced legislation.

Regulations can be issued under the 1983 act by order in council - they're generally used to tidy up loose ends, or deal with details that have been left out of the main act. It looks like the definition of sporting configuration will be tidied up with the introduction of a regulation (specifically a new definition of "pistol grip"). The benefit of a regulation is it can be pushed through by order in council - which is often either cabinet or the minister in charge approving the regulation, which then gets signed into law by the governor general. It can be a very quick process.

By contrast, from memory (long time since I read it) any action under the new legislation (e.g. the "classify all AR15's as E Cat" power) needs to go to parliament for debate and a vote before it comes into law - which would probably take a lot longer than simply introducing a regulation under the existing law.

I have it from a reliable source that they're hoping to tidy up the pistol grip issue by christmas. I also believe it's possible there may be an amnesty of sorts (similar to the check your buts campaign) where owners are given an opportunity to apply for their E cat.

Best solution seems to be go get your E Cat now.....it'll probably save you a lot of hassle later on, and you may even get an early christmas present in the form of a free E-cat upgrade to your baby......