Subj : New gun laws in place by 2026 - Nicole McKee
To   : All
From : News
Date : Fri Jun 14 2024 01:58 pm

23 mins ago

The Government will rewrite the country's gun laws as part of its planned
firearms reforms.


Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said the Arms Act had been in place
for over 40 years, and would be rewritten by 2026.


"It has been amended several times - in a piecemeal, and sometimes rushed
way. This has resulted in outdated and complicated requirements that unfairly
target licensed firearms owners, often with no clear benefit to public
safety," McKee said.


"It is time we take a good look at the whole system and make the necessary
changes to ensure that it is fit for purpose for New Zealand today and into
the future. We need to find simple, workable solutions that deliver tangible
safety outcomes for New Zealand communities."


McKee said the government would aim to pass the law changes by the end of its
current term. She said rewriting the act would modernise the law "so that it
provides for greater public safety, reflects best regulatory practice, and is
fit for purpose".


"It provides a unique opportunity to take a systematic and considered
approach to our laws, in a way that hasn't been done in over 40 years. Rather
than the rushed 'government-knows-best' approach that we have seen in the
past, we will be consulting with New Zealanders to allow their views to be
heard."


McKee said the firearms registry would be reviewed and the Firearms Safety
Authority would be transferred from police to another government department.


She said the first two phases of the firearms reforms were underway,
including strengthening firearms prohibition orders and changes to shooting
club regulations.


rnz.co.nz

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