Thread: Re applying for expired FAL

It's no good blaming the police who have to deal with limited resources due to limited government funding. I would guess that it costs the police well over $500 to process a firearms application. It was around $400 several years ago. The FA licence fee is only $126.50 for 10 years for a renewal or 5 years for a first timer. That amount covers all change of address security checks which cost in travel and wages.

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

It's no good blaming the police who have to deal with limited resources due to limited government funding. I would guess that it costs the police well over $500 to process a firearms application. It was around $400 several years ago. The FA licence fee is only $126.50 for 10 years for a renewal or 5 years for a first timer. That amount covers all change of address security checks which cost in travel and wages.

fair points.....BUT SOMEONE is responsible........and someone should be held to account....... if not the overworked line blue line,who eggzachary is the culprit???

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

fair points.....BUT SOMEONE is responsible........and someone should be held to account....... if not the overworked line blue line,who eggzachary is the culprit???

I don’t know. Covid had a huge influence because of the lockdowns when people couldn't be interviewed. If a private company was running the show then you'd be paying $500 or more for your licence. Private companies are there to make a profit not to make friends. Staff who weren't performing up to expectations would no doubt be replaced quickly. So you get efficiency but it costs the consumer.

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

It's no good blaming the police who have to deal with limited resources due to limited government funding. I would guess that it costs the police well over $500 to process a firearms application. It was around $400 several years ago. The FA licence fee is only $126.50 for 10 years for a renewal or 5 years for a first timer. That amount covers all change of address security checks which cost in travel and wages.

At least private businesses have an incentive to please their customers, or else their bottom line is hit. Doesn’t seem like there is any such accountability with government run things. That being said i don’t think it is possible for stuff like firearms licensing to be privately run. I wouldn’t mind paying extra to get things done properly and in a timely manner.

Imagine this drama if it affected renewing your Drivers License? The country would come to a stand still. And we all know road deaths outstrip anything else...but education is the key...the cheapest & most ineffective way the govt can use? Just an opinion.

Have contacted MP, Ombudsman, IPCA and Police Minister

IPCA keep trying to fob me off with weasel words, MP says letter received, Police Minister nothing at all and this from Ombudsman -

Complaint against the New Zealand Police
I refer to your correspondence of 18 May, in which you raise a concern about the New Zealand
Police (the Police). As I understand it, your concern relates to the delay in the processing of your
application for a firearms licence by the Police. I note you have raised your concerns with the
Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) already, as well as copying in the Minister of Police
on your correspondence to this Office.
Under the Ombudsmen Act 1975 (OA), the Chief Ombudsman has the authority to investigate
complaints about the specific administrative actions and decisions of the central and local
government agencies that are listed in the Schedule to the OA.
Neither the Police nor the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) are subject to the
Ombudsmen Act. I acknowledge your frustration with the lengthiness of the Police process, and
the expected time before your IPCA complaint is assessed. Unfortunately, this Office is unable to
assist you with your concerns about either agency.
I appreciate this is not the outcome you were hoping for.

Not much use trying that one

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

At least private businesses have an incentive to please their customers, or else their bottom line is hit. Doesn’t seem like there is any such accountability with government run things. That being said i don’t think it is possible for stuff like firearms licensing to be privately run. I wouldn’t mind paying extra to get things done properly and in a timely manner.

This is true when there is competition, but cynical old me, can't help but think that one company running the whole gig wouldn't have to please anyone but their shareholders. Good service costs money, and spending money doesn't make profit. As MD mentioned above, they'd be incentivised to fail people - god help you if you failed to cross a t or dot an i.

Totally agree on the second point though, imagine the risk aversion, hoop jumping and waivers they would have as a private company, potentially responsible/liable for Chch-type events?

Let's see what the LPRP cavalry can do to speed things up!

Let's see what the LPRP cavalry can do to speed things up![/QUOTE]

Sorry I don't share your optimism

They took a year to do an endorsement 2 years ago - I don't think that the blue gang have any interest in speeding anything up
I think they are deliberately frustrating people to turn people off getting licensed

I'd like to be wrong and I don't understand why they are going hard on people who are lawful but that is the pattern I have seen

Also the Minister is as effective as a fart in a tornado

I just applied for a renewal in May....my FAL expires next year.
Was contacted today for an inspection/ interview next week. I don't see a problem.

Originally Posted by johnd

I just applied for a renewal in May....my FAL expires next year.
Was contacted today for an inspection/ interview next week. I don't see a problem.

All my docs went to police on 11 Jan and I'm still waiting for that call. I don't understand how some people breeze through and others get held up forever. It's a bit of a lottery it would seem.