By: Sporting Shooters Association NZ
Speaking on the AM show yesterday morning Police Commissioner Andrew Coster once again made the assertion that criminal gang members obtain their guns from licensed firearm owners through burglary or diversion.
He failed to mention firearms smuggled into New Zealand with the gangs main business product of illicit drugs, or even local manufacture now made simpler by 3D printers.
Chaz Forsyth, President of the Sporting Shooters Association says, “Licensed firearm owners as a group adhere to the security requirements set by the Arms Act and Police regulations, and we reject the claim that we are the main source of illegally held firearm in this country.
Any diversion of guns from licensed people is a result of coercion by these gangs, not to mention the 12 known gang members who police provided with firearm licences.
Blaming licensed firearm owners is lazy policing, simply further destroying the previously good relations we had with police, especially as police admit they are unable to trace most seized firearms due to serial numbers being removed.”
Coster also admitted that so far the new gun laws had not made New Zealand safer, claiming that it was a long process for all the tighter gun controls to take effect.
Forsyth says “We have already pointed out that the effects of the legislation on shooting clubs and ranges will have the reverse effect, actually making New Zealand less safe, as shooters are deprived of safe shooting venues and an arms register will achieve no benefit for a huge cost in public funds.”
