Thread: Kiwis support stricter controls on gun owners

Growing up in this great land in the 50's and 60's it was not uncommon to see someone walking down a street with a rifle or shotgun over their shoulder, even in Queen Street, Aucks. They were on there way to or from a gunshop or police station. Nobody freaked out or paid them any attention. It was accepted by the public that firearms were a part of the Kiwi way of life.

In the 1960's my mates and I used to bike all over the back country roads in the South Waikato with our .22 rifles slung over our shoulders, bolt and magazine installed, on the way to a particular farm or patch of scrub. Passing motorists would often wave or give us the thumbs up. Can't remember a single farmer ever not allowing us to shoot on their property when asked. We always called in when leaving and thanked them; to not do so was considered bad manners.

These days I would be lucky to walk to my letterbox with a firearm without the AOS being called.