gzt: That much name calling is not normal here on Geekzone.

heylinb4nz: 
You are a fool to think that its even worth an individual challenging anything they do, they have your tax $$$ and unlimited legal time at their disposal. Even if a firearms owner wanted to challenge they would not have the cash or would soon run out.  

heylinb4nz:

gzt: That much name calling is not normal here on Geekzone.

I apologize.....I have spent far to much time on GPforums.

I must say the conversations here are a lot more civil and balanced. I will keep that in mind for future posts.

KiwiNZ: I was a long time Sport shooter and did a lot of hunting, however disability ended all that, however I believe NZ has changed a lot since then, there is no where near the places in our small country to go hunting safely especially the North Island. Also there seems to be a lot of wanna-be toy soldiers getting hands on high powered rifles and think every thing is a target for them to blast away at.
I believe the whole private ownership of guns from BB Guns to high powered sporting kit needs a thorough review to reflect NZ as it is now and will be in a few years. That may well mean a lot more restriction on types imported, the general availability, usage and storage. It would be interesting to see what results a referendum would throw on this topic.

heylinb4nz:

KiwiNZ: I was a long time Sport shooter and did a lot of hunting, however disability ended all that, however I believe NZ has changed a lot since then, there is no where near the places in our small country to go hunting safely especially the North Island. Also there seems to be a lot of wanna-be toy soldiers getting hands on high powered rifles and think every thing is a target for them to blast away at.
I believe the whole private ownership of guns from BB Guns to high powered sporting kit needs a thorough review to reflect NZ as it is now and will be in a few years. That may well mean a lot more restriction on types imported, the general availability, usage and storage. It would be interesting to see what results a referendum would throw on this topic.

The problem we have as shooters is the majority of public are uneducated in firearms, and of course we know the police view on them. Any referendum would result in more bad law and mandate for police to enforce the restrictions they seek (most of which are unfair and not based on anything but their desire to erode firearms ownership in NZ).

Realistically we just need Police to talk with and listen to groups like Pistol NZ, SSANZ, Deerstalkers Assc etc etc. Rather than go off on their own tangent and make bad law.

Even if hunting is reduced to nothing, we still have pistol clubs and long range rifle clubs. Firearms technology is advancing in materials, features and design, it doesnt mean the guns are getting more high powered....and more military like....(thus needing restriction)..they use the same ammo they always have....if anything they are getting more safer.

Id like to see them combine the B & E cats to an R cat licence and simplfy the permitting process. If they really want to track what is being purchased, they can simply have an online system which issues a unique permit ID valid for 60 days that customs can reference when any item comes into the border.

as for A-cats, the licence should have a safety \ competency test as well as the exam, and the storage requirements need to be lifted to the same as B\E cat.

Then the police can focus on the criminals.

KiwiNZ:

heylinb4nz:

KiwiNZ: I was a long time Sport shooter and did a lot of hunting, however disability ended all that, however I believe NZ has changed a lot since then, there is no where near the places in our small country to go hunting safely especially the North Island. Also there seems to be a lot of wanna-be toy soldiers getting hands on high powered rifles and think every thing is a target for them to blast away at.
I believe the whole private ownership of guns from BB Guns to high powered sporting kit needs a thorough review to reflect NZ as it is now and will be in a few years. That may well mean a lot more restriction on types imported, the general availability, usage and storage. It would be interesting to see what results a referendum would throw on this topic.

The problem we have as shooters is the majority of public are uneducated in firearms, and of course we know the police view on them. Any referendum would result in more bad law and mandate for police to enforce the restrictions they seek (most of which are unfair and not based on anything but their desire to erode firearms ownership in NZ).

Realistically we just need Police to talk with and listen to groups like Pistol NZ, SSANZ, Deerstalkers Assc etc etc. Rather than go off on their own tangent and make bad law.

Even if hunting is reduced to nothing, we still have pistol clubs and long range rifle clubs. Firearms technology is advancing in materials, features and design, it doesnt mean the guns are getting more high powered....and more military like....(thus needing restriction)..they use the same ammo they always have....if anything they are getting more safer.

Id like to see them combine the B & E cats to an R cat licence and simplfy the permitting process. If they really want to track what is being purchased, they can simply have an online system which issues a unique permit ID valid for 60 days that customs can reference when any item comes into the border.

as for A-cats, the licence should have a safety \ competency test as well as the exam, and the storage requirements need to be lifted to the same as B\E cat.

Then the police can focus on the criminals.

In a democracy everyone has a say, this is  a decision all New Zealanders should be involved in. 

The Police need only to listen to the Government, Crown Law and the Courts with regards to the implementation of current law. 

My personal view is all private use of firearms should be at approved clubs, the weapons only used and stored there. The general sale of firearms in retail stores stooped and only approved club outlets can import and sell on indent. 

MikeAqua: Firearm laws do not prevent criminal behaviour.  When I did my firearms training the police showed us pictures of improvised homemade guns they had confiscated.  Most of them made from simple unregulated materials.  As long as criminals can access ammo, they will find a way to make firearms.

The checks on people getting a firearm in NZ are thorough, and the police err on the side of caution.  The requirements for gun storage could do with being beefed up for the more common firearms like shotguns and hunting rifles.

BTW Switzerland has one of the highest rates of guns in households and a very low rate of firearm crime/death.  Why? Training, respect for safety.

heylinb4nz: Some examples of bad law\police procedure we as firearms owners have to deal with   a) we need a permit to import a front or rear sight because they class it as a part, but you can buy in NZ without a permit. Sights dont even have serial numbers so what are they trying to track \ prevent ? b) I can order a foregrip from overseas for my A-cat rifle, paintball gun, airsoft gun......but if I intend to use it on my pistol or carbine, I need a permit, again if I buy in NZ I dont need anything.

c) my AR15 with a fixed stock is classed as A-cat, the same AR15 with adjustable stock is E-cat (regardless of magazine size) Simply being in possession of a compatible stock is cause for prosecution, even if I had something it could legally fit on....they still get you for intention.

d) I can buy 30 round mags if I want legally, but cant legally fit them to an A-cat rifle (making an MSSA)....see point a) yet I need a permit for something as inane as a front sight. Duh !!!

e) If I want to run a 20 round mag on my A-cat Ruger 10/22 I need to sign it up as an E-Cat. If I sell the mag, and then want to sell the rifle..I can only sell it as an E-Cat (the change is permenant)..even though the same rifle can be brought as an A-cat in the shop. 

f) a pistol shooter had to attend a pistol club 12 times a year to keep their licence and jump through many hoops to gain their licence and permits galore to buy a handgun, the owner of a A-Cat dragunov sniper rifle (7.62 caliber) simply needs a basic firearms licence, rudimentary storage and doesnt need to belong to any shooting association.  


Obviously the police have to much time on their hands and are certainly focusing on the wrong people and things.

KiwiNZ: There are agencies that do pest control in an organised method shooting has proven to be totally useless at it. The Military store their weapons when not in use in very secure magazines so the model is already available.

If you don't believe we have a democracy here  try living in some of the non democratic nations, your view will soon change.

As for the Gun shops, things change we once had hundreds of Blacksmiths, have very few now, same with Video Libraries, Corner Service Stations, Meat works etc etc .