Thread: Your Last Chance to Save Our Pistol Grips

Agreed, glad that this hasn't gone away in parliament.

I can't see the logic in what the government is trying to achieve, I don't want an E cat licence or own an MSSA, my AR15 isn't a military rifle how is it any more dangerous than a Remington 7615 sporting a 100 round drum magazine, just because it has a pistol grip?

Originally Posted by Nakiboy

I can't see the logic in what the government is trying to achieve, I don't want an E cat licence or own an MSSA, my AR15 isn't a military rifle how is it any more dangerous than a Remington 7615 sporting a 100 round drum magazine, just because it has a pistol grip?

Exactly, and welcome to the forum Nakiboy

Originally Posted by Nakiboy

I can't see the logic in what the government is trying to achieve, I don't want an E cat licence or own an MSSA, my AR15 isn't a military rifle how is it any more dangerous than a Remington 7615 sporting a 100 round drum magazine, just because it has a pistol grip?

Welcome to the forum Nakiboy. You are going to fit right in here.

It's the stupidest fucking thing

End of year report and a summary for the save our pistol grips campaign. Also intended direction for 2014.
www.facebook.com/saveourpistolgrips

Just for those without fb

END OF YEAR REPORT

As most of you know on Dec 11th the amendment came in by force due to being 12 months from the anniversary date. Anyone with a pistol grip semi-auto is now required to either obtain an endorsement or seek an A category approved solution.

While this may seem a loss to those that govern our recreational pursuits, we have had a major win. That is the realisation from many that the Semi Auto is now a legitimate, widely accepted sporting tool. This was not the case prior to 2009 when Richard Lincoln held the Police to account and wedged his foot in the door allowing the flood of Semi Autos into the country. Stores such as Gun City, Serious Shooters and nzar15.com took full advantage of this situation to help make Pistol Grip Semi Autos common place on the market. To a large degree this has aided us as firearm owners to make the Police realise that they were fighting a losing battle. I believe this affected the outcome of how the amendment was implemented. We could have been a lot worse off. Your voice went a long way to help enforce the current legal position.

Rod and Rifle magazine, a typically "traditional" NZ hunting magazine, based their last editorial on black guns. They stated "The word from the 2013 Shot Show was 'black guns are where its going for hunting rifles'. When a typically wood and blued steel crowd realise and announce that black rifles are the future then you know we have all achieved something. I also note in their current edition there is a further article on semi autos. We can feel comfortable that these guns are here to stay.

The response to the Save our Pistol Grips campaign from politicians and COLFO was also a huge achievement. Well over 2000 of you sent emails making your voice heard. Some like the National Party simply ignored us. United Future's Peter Dunne pledged his support and promised to talk to Anne Tolley. We have no proof that any discussion was had and we know for a fact the United Future voted in favour of this amendment. United future may have changed their position since, time will tell, but to date there has been no media release. Labour responded that they asked for a joint reference group to be set up. Yet, like United Future they voted against this countries gun owners. The one shining light amongst the politicians was NZ First's Richard Prosser. He made two widely published media releases in your defense of gun ownership. NZ First along with Act were the only two parties to stand up for our rights back in 2011. Richard was also the only politician with a sound knowledge of the issues we face. He is a keen advocate of the freedoms we seek in hunting and fishing - he combines United future's outdoors stance with a matching integrity on firearms. This is unique amongst our political parties. Please keep this in mind when you cast your vote in 2014. Remember, it is most likely that a minor party will be king maker at the next election! With this power they will be our best option for effecting positive change and reversing the damage from this amendment.

This leaves the Coalition of Licensed Firearm Owners (COLFO) as the last "political" force to which we directed our campaign. As Kris Faafoi (Labour) requested, a quasi joint reference group was set up after the final voting (too late) for the amendment. This group known as the Firearms Community Advisory Forum (FCAF) involved members from what could have traditionally been called "Police Friendly". This hand picked group were chosen specifically based on a past positive relationship with the Police. There were no participating members who at the time time were seen as negative Police influences - notably missing the NSA. The group was confined to COLFO member organisations only and a single vender. This included NZ Antique and Historic Arms Association, New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, NZ Mountain Safety Council, NZ Service Rifle Association, Pistol NZ and New Zealand Ammunition Company. This group was setup to discuss the implementation of the new amendment but was made aware that no recommendations from the group were binding in the way police would implement policy. Unfortunately this was to prove true. In COLFOs last newsletter by Michael Dowling, he stated "I must admit I am left feeling the time spent on the forum to date has been wasted. There are those that believe the only way to effect practical changes to Arms Legislation is through the courts, I will be very disappointed if this proves to be the case." Pistol NZ President also stated in their latest Newsletter "I have expressed my disappointment in the process (and so have the other groups)". At the very least some of these organisations are finally realising the contempt Police and the current Government hold their views.

In regards to the the organisations that participated we have to applaud Pistol NZ. Soon after setting up this site we had pistol clubs from all over NZ joining our fight including the support of the governing body. Sadly Deerstalkers were represented by a lone proactive organisation from Napier. Hopefully with the huge growth of Semi Autos in this country we will start to see organisations such as NZDA and NZ Mountain Safety Council promote Semi Autos and their safe use.

FINALLY WHERE TO FROM HERE?

Currently your voice is channeled through organisation hierarchies that are then given a right to vote the direction taken by the likes of COLFO. With this kind of representation your voice is not heard, your opinions are not made visible for all to see. We would like to change that. The vast majority of you got to express your views on this page either by sharing our Facebook page, commenting or posting pictures. Some of us even had conflicting views about the Save Our Pistol Grips campaign. But at least on this page everyone got to express an opinion.

We would like to build on the success of this campaign and build a true coalition of hunters and shooters using modern social media where your voice is heard and your opinions debated. If we can grow this representation we might even see the day where you are officially represented in the decision making. We want to embrace social media as the new vehicle to allow you to express your desire for freedom in our sport. You will control the content and direction we all take. A Facebook "like" is all it will take to join. No fees. You will be a part owner and a participant in reinforcing your future. Hopefully we will announce this new site early new year.

Please let us know what you think. 2014 will be the start of complete, open, all encompassing firearm owner representation.

Finally i would like to thank all those organisations and vendors who helped raise the profile of our campaign. Please support these guys by membership or a little bit of Xmas shopping.

All the best for Christmas and Happy New Year.

Thanks Toby

Thanks for the post Toby, definitely be thinking about who I vote for next year.

Yep, me too.