Thread: Response to the Law and Order Select committee

Good morning


Hon Paula Bennett

Minister of Police

14 June 2017

Media Statement

Government response to firearms select committee report

Police Minister Paula Bennett has today responded to the Law and Order Select Committee report on issues relating to the illegal possession of firearms.

The Select Committee’s terms of reference were to focus on how widespread firearms possession is amongst criminals – including gangs, how those people who don’t have a firearms licence come into possession of firearms and what changes, if any, would restrict the flow of firearms to criminals, gangs and people who don’t hold a licence.

“The committee made 20 recommendations. After careful consideration I’ve accepted seven, rejected 12, and recommended one proceed with changes,” Mrs Bennett says.

“We needed to strike the right balance between public safety and the rights of legal firearms owners. Although the report was well intended, I believe many of the recommendations would not decrease the flow of firearms to criminals and gangs but would unduly impact on legally licenced firearms users.

“I appointed two independent firearms experts to advise me. I’ve listened to their advice, advice from Police, read the recommendations from the select committee and I’ve taken on board feedback from the public.

“After careful consideration I have added two more recommendations to my response. One proposes the introduction of the power to suspend licences pending decision on revocation. This will give Police an alternative to cancelling a licence, for example in situations where someone has been charged with family violence, or where there are security issues that need to be resolved.

“I’m also proposing a Ministerial direction to the Police to require consultation with the firearms community when considering changes to the Arms Act and the interpretation of it.

“Nobody wants firearms getting into the hands of violent gang members but we also don’t want over the top rules and restrictions to be placed on hunters and shooters who manage their firearms responsibly.”

“My response to the report has been tabled in Parliament. We will now begin a policy process around the recommendations we are progressing which will involve consultation, looking at costs and any regulatory impacts before coming back to Cabinet for approval later this year,” Mrs Bennett says.

Summary of the Government Response

Recommendation Number

Summarised Recommendation

Government Response Summarised
Sale and supply of firearms and ammunition
1
A firearms licence required to possess ammunition
Reject
2
A dealer’s licence required to sell ammunition
Reject
3
Dealers required to keep records of ammunition sales
Reject
4
Registration process for websites facilitating trading in firearms, parts, or ammunition
Amend recommendation - Do not introduce registration but clarify ‘mail order’ process applies to online sales in Arms Amendment Bill
5
Permit to procure extended to cover all sales or transfers of firearms (i.e. include A category firearms)
Reject - but improve efficiency in current licensing and permitting processes.
Definition of military-style semi-automatics
6
Investigate the creation of a category of restricted semi-automatic rifle and shotgun
Reject
Effectiveness of licensing, training, and registering firearms
7
Implement firearm prohibition orders
Accept - include in the Arms (Firearm Prohibition Orders and Firearms Licences) Amendment Bill
8
Codify the ‘fit and proper’ criteria in the Arms Act
Reject
9
Implement a stand-down period after licence revocation
Accept - include a 12 month stand -own period in the Arms (Firearm Prohibition Orders and Firearms Licences) Amendment Bill
10
Clarify that gang members or prospects must not be considered ‘fit and proper’ to possess firearms
Accept - include in the Arms (Firearm Prohibition Orders and Firearms Licences) Amendment Bill
11
Require Police to record serial numbers of all firearms upon renewal of licence or inspection of premises
Reject – voluntary process to continue
Criminal offending with firearms
12
Review the penalties in the Arms Act
Accept - progress in Arms Amendment Bill
13
Treat dealer offending as aggravated at sentencing
Reject
14
Determine appropriate security standards for A category licences
Accept - Police/firearms community advisory forum already commenced this process
15
Secure storage confirmed before licence or endorsement received
Reject
16
Allow Police to enter premises to inspect security of A category firearms
Reject
17
Failure to comply with storage regulations to result in mandatory revocation
Reject - but note new suspension of licence

Reducing the number of grey firearms
18
Clarify and publicise the extent of amnesty provisions in the Arms Act 1983
Accept - to progress in Arms Amendment Bill
19
Police publicise amnesty provisions
Reject
20
Check that firearms brought in on visitors permit are exported or transferred legally
Accept (administrative)
Additional Government Recommendations
1
Provide the power to suspend licences
Include in the Arms (Firearm Prohibition Orders and Firearms Licences) Amendment Bill
2
Police to improve its consultative processes with the firearms community
Propose to give a Ministerial Directive to this end