National rejects most gun law changes

The Herald reports:

Federated Farmers has applauded the Government’s decision to reject recommendations to tighten firearms rules, including having police record serial numbers on guns.

Police Minister Paula Bennett has today responded to the law and order select committee report on illegal firearms, accepting only seven of 20 recommendations designed to stop criminals getting their hands on guns. …

The committee inquiry had caused concern among some gun owners and widespread changes would have been a controversial issue in election year.

Rejected recommendations include requiring police to record serial numbers of all firearms upon renewal of licence or inspection, requiring a licence to possess ammunition, and making dealers keep records of ammunition sales.

Bennett also declined to act on the recommendation to investigate the creation of a category of restricted semi-automatic rifle and shotgun.

Federated Farmers national board member Katie Milne said the rejected recommendations would have done little to stop firearms getting into the hands of criminals.

“The farming community is frustrated with poorly thought out solutions to real problems that simply burden law abiding citizens,” Milne said.

“We are pleased to see the Government has listened and is directing attention to where it should be.”

Labour’s police spokesman Stuart Nash said he believed Bennett had “got it 100 per cent right”, and backed the same recommendations he had come to believe were needed.

As a member of the select committee he had received a large amount of feedback after the recommendations were released, including through public meetings. Nash said he came to realise many of the recommendations wouldn’t help keep guns out of the hands of criminals.

So Labour is saying the Government got it right by rejecting most of the recommendations.

Act leader David Seymour said it was a relief to learn Bennett would reject most recommendations, that went “far beyond” targeting illegal gun possession.

ACT happy also.

Government response to committee recommendations:

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. Partial rejection – not registration but clarify ‘mail order’ process applies to online sales.
5.Permit to procure extended to cover all sales or transfers of firearms (i.e. include A category firearms). Reject.
6.Investigate the creation of a category of restricted semi-automatic rifle and shotgun. Reject.
7.Implement firearm prohibition orders. Accept.
8.Codify the ‘fit and proper’ criteria in the Arms Act. Reject.
9.Implement a stand-down period after licence revocation. Accept.
10.Clarify that gang members or prospects must not be considered ‘fit and proper’ to possess firearms. Accept.
11.Require Police to record serial numbers of all firearms upon renewal of licence or inspection of premises. Reject.
12.Review the penalties in the Arms Act. Accept.
13.Treat dealer offending as aggravated at sentencing. Reject.
14.Determine appropriate security standards for A category licences. Accept.
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.
18.Clarify and publicise the extent of amnesty provisions in the Arms Act 1983. Accept.
19.Police publicise amnesty provisions. Reject.
20.Check that firearms brought in on visitors permit are exported or transferred legally. Accept.

Looks like a victory for gun owners who are not criminals.