Anyone know the gun control laws in NZ?
From Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_New_Zealand
Nearly 250,000 [1] licensed firearms owners own and use New Zealand’s estimated 1.5 million [1] firearms.[2] As in Australia, but unlike the US and Canada, gun laws usually gain the support of both major parties before they are passed. Guns are not currently a major political issue, but have been restricted immediately after the Aramoana massacre in 1990, the Scottish Dunblane and Australian Port Arthur massacres in 1996.
Gun licences are issued at the discretion of the police in New Zealand provided the police consider the person to be of good standing (Citation New Zealand.2008.‘Delegation of Powers by Commissioner.’ Arms Act 1983 No. 44.Wellington:Parliamentary Counsel Office,1 October. (Q3022) ) [3][citation needed] and without criminal, psychiatric or drug issues as well as meeting other conditions such as having suitable storage facilities. They must be issued for a valid reason[citation needed]. Several different categories of licenses are permitted, with the lowest one permitting access to restricted semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, with limited capacity, while the higher levels which permit fully automatic weaponry and pistols are rarely issued to civilians.
Various governments[vague], groups[vague] behind the Thorp reports[citation needed], and the New Zealand Police[4] have pushed for various forms of universal firearm registration. This has currently not succeeded but current maneuverings[needs update] by the New Zealand Police are attempting to reclassify large numbers of ‘A’ category firearms as ‘E’ category (military-style semi-automatics), which requires them to be registered[speculation?]. This has been done though even by their own admission[5] the New Zealand Police cannot reliably register the current military-style semi-automatic (MSSA) firearms.
In March 2009 the New Zealand police bid to reclassify certain types of civilian semi-automatic firearms was overturned by the New Zealand High Court as a result of a legal challenge mounted by the New Zealand National Shooters Association (NSA) president Richard Lincoln
Rush just covered them. Class A for rifles/shotguns require background check, safety class, interview, two references (one non-family) with one being currently licensed.
Class B for handguns require they be kept and used only in authorized shooting clubs and pistol ranges. None for individual defense.
Last night I heard one reporter ask the police during a briefing whether the police would be armed as they search for the perps and the answer was that they would be.
Now with all the gun laws in New Zealand, how the killer, who is from Australia, got the stockpile of guns including semi-automatics is a question that hasn't been answered.
"Owning or using a firearm in New Zealand does require a licence. Applicants must be over 16 and pass a background check by New Zealand Police to check whether they are a "fit and proper person".
A history of violence, relationships with criminals, a repeated involvement with drugs, or irresponsible consumption of alcohol are some of the reasons why someone might be denied a licence.
Carrying a gun is only permitted for those with a "lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose", such as hunting, pest control or sports shooting. Self-defence is not considered a reason to have a gun."