Thread: Nice wee Christmas treat from customs NZ

For those of you with Facebook, take a look here for an interesting story on the latest police interpretation on what AR parts they think are automatically MSSA parts: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?s...48817982124122

And for those who don’t do Facebook:

NEW RULE: Police decree that some parts of A Cat guns, but not others, are actually parts of imaginary MSSAs as well and therefore require a permit to import.

Constant, relentless ultra vires police policy.

A FOUNZ editor has attempted to import a gas block for his A Category firearm but has been told by police that a gas block is “manufactured as an MSSA part” therefore requires a permit to import.
They insisted that he apply for an import permit saying:
"Your special reason for importing that part (sic) would be that you require it for your A-category firearm."
So doing just that, he then received a refusal letter due to police being unable to process or issue a permit after an alleged breach of the arms act.

There are two things very wrong with this picture:

1. The gas block is NOT an MSSA part.
There is no such thing as an MSSA part attached to an A Cat rifle. It’s either part of an MSSA or it isn’t.
The definition of an MSSA can only be applied to an individual gun, it can’t be applied to a general category or even a specific make and model. The rifle concerned is A Category.
It doesn’t matter that the part COULD be fitted to another rifle that is an MSSA. So could the scope on a bolt action. That doesn’t make it an MSSA part. That’s not how the law works.

2. An import permit is not required.
Police’s own website states (link below): “There is no provision for Police to issue a permit to import for components of firearms, other than those that fall within the definition of ‘part’ above.”
The gas block does not meet the definition of a part under the Arms Act Section 2.
http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/fir...import-permits

The applicant complied with the law and Police’s own guidance to the letter. Unfortunately Police seem to be working to their own version of the law again.
If this policy applies to a gas block, why not the other items listed in the email?

Originally Posted by stretch

And for those who don’t do Facebook:

NEW RULE: Police decree that some parts of A Cat guns, but not others, are actually parts of imaginary MSSAs as well and therefore require a permit to import.

Constant, relentless ultra vires police policy.

OMG this is relentless. So now any scope can be e-cat?

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

OMG this is relentless. So now any scope can be e-cat?

Possibly, trouble is those in charge most likely have no clue or real world practical experience to be able to make these decisions correctly

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

So had a call today from customs about my Brownells order that they've decided to hold because it contained a charging handle & firing pin for an AR15... Apparently before they can release it they need conformation from my AO that these parts are indeed going on an ACAT firearm, if not then a permit is required.

I informed them that just last month I successfully ordered the exact same parts with no issue. "We don't nab them all" the lady said to me.

Where does it specify in the act about these particular parts requiring conformation and or permits??

On we go, the never ending story.

So reading own the page and hearing the experience of others in this regard, it appears that you have a couple of options. Demand a letter from police stating that you do not need a permit to import these firearms parts, and get the facebook response or a helpful letter. The face book response would be the most valuable in proving police are making shit up. The information that you have violated the arms act though importing these parts, should result in a charge and the cancellation of your firearms licence. There can be no other outcome. Either you have broken the law or you haven't. Police do not have a choice. They have to either agree that your parts do not require a permit, or charge you with breaking the law, and thereby admit that they are making shit up again.
The other option is to walk away and take the loss of the money, parts and shipping, and just accept that police can do whatever they want in the pavlova paradise.

I've got some of Vicki's knickers here if you'd like a photo of me wearing them?

Originally Posted by Maca49

I've got some of Vicki's knickers here if you'd like a photo of me wearing them?

NO

Originally Posted by Maca49

I've got some of Vicki's knickers here if you'd like a photo of me wearing them?

You and your bloody fetishes Maca. It was you that stole my undies the weekend of the Sika Show wasn't it?

Things are heating up in our Customs by the looks
New Governments way to pay for all their social promises maybe

Customs charges Northland woman $188 to receive Christmas presents - NZ Herald

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

So had a call today from customs about my Brownells order that they've decided to hold because it contained a charging handle & firing pin for an AR15... Apparently before they can release it they need conformation from my AO that these parts are indeed going on an ACAT firearm, if not then a permit is required.

I informed them that just last month I successfully ordered the exact same parts with no issue. "We don't nab them all" the lady said to me.

Where does it specify in the act about these particular parts requiring conformation and or permits??

On we go, the never ending story.

They hold lots of stuff. They generally don't have the technical knowledge to know what does or does not require a permit.

Just flick the email to your AO. A reasonable one sorts it out. If not, just forward it up the food chain.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Quote....If the firearm that they are imported for is an 'A category ' then no permit is required. It does not matter that they COULD be used in another category of firearm.

Quote”They generally don't have the technical knowledge to know what does or does not require a permit.”

Yup,don’t ya just love it......customs will take the information that you give,will give it the smoke and mirrors test,and tell that your not going to use it for what you are saying your going to use it for,.......therefore making you look like a porky-pie author....why do I say this???,I’ve been down this road before,and dealing with knobs on the phone and emails,has cost more than the product was worth..........

The word,”consistency”...”on the same sheet of music”....”are we on the same page here”,and a few others,come to mind when dealing with customs.....not always,as they do have reasonable officials within the ranks,unfortunately in my dealings the nays outnumber the yays!