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......

"Sporting configuration" no longer exists

Originally Posted by Beavis

"Sporting configuration" no longer exists

yep, gone burger

Originally Posted by mikee

yep, gone burger

Yeah, actually, my bad - that's what you get when you don't read $hit properly.

Looking at it again, they can push though a description of pistol grip under the new legislation without reverting to general debate/vote in parliament.

Declaring firearms of particular makes, models, descriptions, or features as MSSA's has to be ratified by additional legislation (s74B).

Guess that was my point - they seem to be focussing on the pistol grip issue first.

Interestingly enough, does anyone know whether the new act has actually come into force yet? It received royal ascent on 11/12/12 - which gives a default commencement date of 11/12/13 (s2(2)), unless it's bought into force earlier by order in council - I haven't seen anything saying that this has occurred (but again, could well be wrong)?

Not yet, I think they are still trying to formulate how to deal with the consequences.

Two local stores have sold over 50 AR's each in "A" cat guise so there are a lot of them about now.

I have gone from owning one on E to one on E and 3 on A. So who knows. I think that the main issue is how they are gonna deal with it. Wasn't an issue to get import permits from the local AO for all the parts required to build 3 "A"s.

It means I can use the same type of rifle I am familiar with and comfortable with from 3 gun shooting for varminting etc with out all the bollocks. ie my missus can shoot one where the law says she cannot even pick up my E and pass it to me to put in the safe.

If they just used common sense and restricted possession of large mags to "E" endorsed FALs and threw the absolute book as is "no longer fit and proper" at anyone who has large mags AND the rifle they fit in their possession without the appropriate endorsement,

But then its all bollocks anyway. as I have always maintained there are not levels of "fit and properness" you are either "fit and proper" or you are not.

So basically.... back to status quo - prior to the bumhole thing and all the panic and bullshit...?
If anything A cat has gone from 7 -10 rds, so in keeping with the laws intention over the last almost 20 yrs, we're actually GAINED something..

Or way off base???

Originally Posted by Spanners

So basically.... back to status quo - prior to the bumhole thing and all the panic and bullshit...?
If anything A cat has gone from 7 -10 rds, so in keeping with the laws intention over the last almost 20 yrs, we're actually GAINED something..

Or way off base???

Too soon to telll

Originally Posted by mikee

Too soon to telll

I should have indicated some sarcasm there
those that actually have a law degree or more than 1/2 a clue prob were invited and participated in a meeting or 2 of importance rather than stamping feet and banging chests
My guns are safe from what I know

Originally Posted by Spanners

I should have indicated some sarcasm there
those that actually have a law degree or more than 1/2 a clue prob were invited and participated in a meeting or 2 of importance rather than stamping feet and banging chests
My guns are safe from what I know

Mine too, worst case I'll have 3 new "e"s

Originally Posted by mikee

Mine too, worst case I'll have 3 new "e"s

3? Ya lightweight
Technically I'll have 32

Nothing's been confirmed to the best of my knowledge. I would imagine the status quo would go pre butthole till the next time they want to play round with A cats. We won't know for sure till closer to December.

I've got my fingers crossed for a safe full of E's. But I'll still keep bringing in A's regardless.

I dunno about that - sunday its an "A" but Monday morning its an "E". The law changes on the 11th December - there isn't any changeover period - it becomes law on a due date - they will publicise it before hand but once the law comes into effect, its the law.
Bit like when they changed the give way rules - they had notices and diagrams in all the local papers, but on a due date "bang" that the new road rule.

Originally Posted by muzr257

I dunno about that - sunday its an "A" but Monday morning its an "E". The law changes on the 11th December - there isn't any changeover period - it becomes law on a due date - they will publicise it before hand but once the law comes into effect, its the law.
Bit like when they changed the give way rules - they had notices and diagrams in all the local papers, but on a due date "bang" that the new road rule.

Yes but Police can choose not to prosecute, they can give 6 months for people to comply if they think t's appropriate.

Hopefully they come up with something decent in the next four months. They will have a hard time defining some of the terms in the act. Seems like the whole exercise has been pretty pointless if they make pistol grips E cat, but keep thumbhole and drag stocks A. If the aim was to reduce the amount of AR's flowing in, it won't work because the importers will already have arrangements made for "compliant" rifles. If the only difference between A and E goes back to a bit of plastic joining the grip and stock together, what has been the point? Surely it would have been easiest to just delete pistol grip from the features list.