Researchers need to research, not just blame.

Law-abiding licensed firearms owners are again taking a hiding from authorities because of a lack of accurate research on what is really happening in New Zealand’s underbelly. 

University Otago Wellington firearms researcher, Hera Cook, is saying that firearms are being smuggled into the country and that licensed firearms owners are either selling weapons on the black market or allowing them to be obtained through burglaries due to slack security.

Controversy continues to rage over the March 15^th terrorist attacker being granted a firearms license when, in hindsight, he certainly should not have one, plus “leaks” from the Police department suggesting that some legal firearm owners are suppling weapons to unlicensed people.

The question needs to be asked; If the Police know about these people, why have they not been apprehended.  

Enthusiasts are applauding the general Policing of illegal firearms and are noting that on average, one gang member a day is being charged with firearms offences, however, there is a strong feeling amongst legal owners that they are being used as the whipping horse. 

With firearms laws being changed, with many saying in a knee jerks reaction, there is a spotlight on banning the use of as many firearms as possible by politicians wanting to make career gain from being seen to “be doing the right thing to protect New Zealanders” 

As the debate swings from one side to the other, the reality is that the innocent law-abiding folk are being restricted more and more when it is not them who are breaking the law and killing innocent Police and citizens. 

Please authorities identify those who are the problem and act accordingly. 

An understanding hand and another voice for licensed Firearms Owners. 

At last another advocate for licensed firearms owners putting their hand up on our behalf. 

Previous COLFO Spokeswoman Nicole McKee has announced she has been asked by the ACT party to stand for Parliament in Wellington, and has been given number three on the party list. 

She has accepted because she says she wants to bring “commonsense and practicalities” back into Government.

Since the Christchurch shooting last year, she has frequently appeared in the media to criticise the Government’s gun reforms and the speed at which they were passed.

“I’ve been watching the erosion of a democratic process with our legislation over the last three years, and it’s become incredibly frustrating to be one of those persons on the outside,” 

Realising that there are around 250,000 licensed firearms owners, all with families and friends, the political power has been overlooked by other parties, so it is little wonder that ACT have stepped up and are now asking the Government and others the hard questions. 

Sadly some members of the media have already attacked Nicole and the ACT party for their stand, that being seen as an easy target to highlight as the general public have little understanding of firearms and their usage, however members of shooting clubs and organisations are already throwing their support behind the move by ACT and the work Nicole is setting out to achieve. 

For example, the Sporting Shooters Association of New Zealand are welcoming the move and are urging their members, all of whom are licensed owners, to make Nicole’s move a positive and, as she says, to bring common sense and practicalities back to Government. 

The election date is 19^th September Our

On the day that the Arms Legislation Bill 2019, which introduces the most strict firearm control laws in New Zealand history, was debated by Parliament it was revealed that Brenton Tarrant the Christchurch terrorist was granted a firearms licence through failings in Police procedure.

It has been revealed that Tarrant who arrived in New Zealand in August 2017 was granted his firearm licence in November of the same year, which allowed him to buy the guns and ammunition that allowed him to kill 51 people at two Christchurch mosques on the 15 March 2019.  In assessing his suitability to hold a licence sources within police say the Police Vetting Officers failed to carry out the correct procedure.  Instead of interviewing two referees who knew the subject for at least 2 years, one to be a close family member, a father, and son who only knew Tarrant through an internet chat room were questioned. More here.

When questioned in Parliament the next day Nash claimed to have no knowledge of the Police error and stated that Police had advised him in March 2019 that the correct vetting procedures had been followed. Watch video.

Rather than await the outcome of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch killings, Nash has pressed ahead with pushing the new Bill through parliament, stating that its aim is to prevent bad guys from getting hold of guns and keeping New Zealanders safe.