Thread: Hello all

Excuse the lengthy first post, but as a long-time lurker, I've gleaned a lot of useful information here. Thanks for all the background which made it straightforward to know what I needed to do to satisfy modern-day NZ FAL requirements. And there are some issues which were interesting to 'encounter'.

Been out of the country a long time, mostly living where the missus came from and doing alot of work-related travel. Never mind how long I was away but let's just say back in the day when I couldn't yet afford nor was old enough to drive a car, I could still take the .22 on the bus into town and people wouldn't panic!

Imported myself back again 18 months ago as aging parents needed closer help. Wanted to take up shooting again and quickly realised the 'new' FAL process was lengthy and required care to navigate. This site was the most useful guide to the process.

Being so long away, first hurdle was finding non-related people to vouch for me. Secured FAL 6 months ago; from my perspective, notable highlights were (1) Arms Code great on succinct safety summary but long on bureaucratese and (2) the vetter had me leave the room while spoke to missus, which makes sense (3) from what I read, the Arms Code and Actual Gun Laws have an on-again off-again relationship; the Code appears to be cheating on the Law with the Police Union...

Bought a cheap Gun City wall rack as it was needed to be seen mounted securely on the wall before I could be cleared for my FAL. Did not want to buy expensive safe if I wasn't going to get the FAL... Unusual Catch-22.

Have done quite a bit of range- and forest-shooting overseas for many years before coming back home but obviously, not importing any weaponry (also, during trips to to US, fun weapons shot at ranges not conducive to importing here anyway :-) ). Most countries where I was working for short-to-long periods made buying a gun for furriners, unpossible. Many countries' policies see only politicians, criminals (but I repeat myself) and police armed anyway.

Last year joined then-'local' shooting club 8 months ago and made to feel very welcome. Now we have bought a house and settled in new locale, I am looking for a good gun safe. Probably 'B' cat, in case of future expansion!

As therefore a relative outsider coming into this 21st-century-NZ process anew, accustomed to firearms 'procedures' in places as diverse as Uzbekistan, Californistan and Londonistan, and having had them occasionally pointed at me in South Americastan and North Congostan, I found these interesting (& obviously, not in order of priority):

Who the local AO is makes a huge difference to ease of satisfying gun safe restrictions.

Presently, have been told very specifically 2 only brand-names of safe I *must* buy and all others including those legally being sold by outlets advertising them as A, B, E etc. capable, will not satisfy locally. Also, have been told only one approved method of mounting said safe down to bolt diameters and brand name.

Very expensive, are good gun safes! Not quite sure why it's my responsibility to have the safest gun storage possible = surpassing those of most NZ police stations... I do believe it's my responsibility to have the safest gun storage feasible and affordable as a private FAL holder.

Pistols.

Regulations surrounding scary pistols appear weird on their face. Just because they are concealable...? Because reading news reports over a couple of years, it's apparent that legal FAL holders are not the source of firearms crimes.

In which connection also, NZ convicted gun criminals seem to regularly meet NZ judges firmly wielding wet bus tickets on recidivist offenders.

Difficult to drive anywhere in NZ with guns.

If I leave them locked up inside the car out of sight, and the car is stolen, I will be in big trouble. If I leave them in my hotel room while I'm away at breakfast and they are stolen, I'll be in big trouble. If I take them to breakfast... if I walk around the hotel car park... More trouble. Someone will probably call 911 (sorry, need to get rid of that overseas emergency number reflex). And if I'm driving & need to stop for a toilet break, and am seen taking a long gun with me inside the toilet, I'll likely end up on the 6pm news and in court.

Police asking gunowners for list of guns we own.

Well, right now that would be easy, I own none yet. See above = buying a safe. I am unclear why NZ police would want us to give them a list of guns for any good purpose. What I can tell from travelling over the years, every time people register their guns, the least that will go wrong is that the database will be hacked and criminals get to know where to do their one-stop shopping. The worst that can go wrong is that the database gets used by political criminals to target people they disagree with and disarm them in order to Go Full Godwin.

Last but certainly not least, gun owners I have socially met in New Zealand through the two clubs I have attended and the shops I have visited, are a fine and pleasant bunch indeed. Look forward to doing more shooting alongside you.

Welcome sightpicture. Similar to you I grew up in a time when a boy could ride through town on a bike with a .22 across the handle bars. Your summary of recent experiences re FAL is pretty much on the mark and will resonate with many here.

Welcome along @sightpicture and welcome back to New Zealandistan, as someone who has had the police called on them after walking 20 meters from a firearms store to my vehicle with a rifle in hand I had to smile at the irony and satire contained in your description of nz firearms law

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Welcome along @sightpicture and welcome back to New Zealandistan, as someone who has had the police called on them after walking 20 meters from a firearms store to my vehicle with a rifle in hand I had to smile at the irony and satire contained in your description of nz firearms law

Sorry that happened to you - but good to know that I'm paranoid for an adaptive reason...

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Welcome along @sightpicture and welcome back to New Zealandistan, as someone who has had the police called on them after walking 20 meters from a firearms store to my vehicle with a rifle in hand I had to smile at the irony and satire contained in your description of nz firearms law

Sorry that happened to you - but good to know that I'm paranoid for an adaptive reason...

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Welcome along @sightpicture and welcome back to New Zealandistan, as someone who has had the police called on them after walking 20 meters from a firearms store to my vehicle with a rifle in hand I had to smile at the irony and satire contained in your description of nz firearms law

I have to ask. Were you carrying your poo 70 back to your vehicle?

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Originally Posted by R93

I have to ask. Were you carrying your poo 70 back to your vehicle?

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It was a 260 actually they probably thought I was on drugs or something

Originally Posted by R93

I have to ask. Were you carrying your poo 70 back to your vehicle?

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It was a 260 actually they probably thought I was on drugs or something

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

It was a 260 actually they probably thought I was on drugs or something

LOL! I deserved that



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welcome @sightpicture and good luck with your shooting adventures. As for @Rushy come on now who you kidding we all know you grew up in the time of muskets

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

It was a 260 actually they probably thought I was on drugs or something

Wait. The .270 has a little sister?