Gunless farmer ripped from his mates
Ayoung Southland dairy farmer feels like his social circle has been ripped away after his firearms licence was lost after he sought mental health help.
Benjamin Devery-thomas sought medical help in February and after being diagnosed with depression, a month later his firearms licence was revoked by police. Now he is questioning why the policing process doesn’t allow for firearm suspension.
The 22 year-old was previously an avid hunter and a member of six different gun clubs, where he maintained friendships outside the dairy industry he works in. The removal of his firearms licence means his membership to the clubs, and as a result the friendships he has made, have come under pressure, with four of the six groups blocking his involvement.
‘‘Truth be told the closest I came to suicide was the day I lost my licence. It wasn’t because of the loss of the licence, it was because of the loss of the social group,’’ he said.
Standard New Zealand firearms licences are issued by the police. If police consider for any reason that someone is not a ‘‘fit and proper person’’ then they may revoke a firearms licence.
Someone may be considered unfit to hold a licence if they have a criminal conviction or mental illness or if they are abusing drugs or alcohol or have been involved in domestic violence.
Police say they do not have the legislative ability to suspend licences, only to revoke them. WHERE TO GET HELP
Devery-thomas felt it was harsh to be treated in the same way as a criminal for having an illness, and believed that the fear of losing a firearms licence kept many other farmers from seeking help for mental health problems.
‘‘And they wonder why farmers
aren’t going in and asking for help, it’s because if they do that they can’t go hunting with their mates.’’
He said he was already acting as a responsible gun owner, with his firearms locked in a safe at a friend’s house. Once his depression became too much, he handed over the keys to the safe to a friend to ensure he did not have access, he said. ‘‘You’re being punished for going and asking for help.’’
Following a firearms licence being revoked, the person must surrender all firearms and their licence. Once the firearms licence had been revoked the owner must not be in possession of any type of firearm or air gun, even under the supervision of a licence holder.
The person has the right to apply to a district court judge to appeal the decision.
Devery-thomas believed instead of outright revoking a firearms licence, police should instead allow for a six-month suspension followed by a review whether the person was ‘‘fit’’ to have their licence reinstated.
While disagreeing with the way firearms licenses are cancelled, he understood the need for people with mental health issues to be denied access to firearms.
‘‘I understand that there is a risk to health and safety. I’m not saying people with depression should keep their firearms, I’m saying that farmers who have depression should not lose their social groups.’’
Socialising with friends and family was proved to help reduce suicide, he said.
Target Shooting Southland president Quinton Erskine believed in the case of treatable mental illnesses, suspension, rather than having a firearms licence revoked, would be a fairer option. However, he said a sixmonth suspension was too short, and thought a year-long suspension with a review would be a better fit.
He agreed with Devery-thomas that the fear of losing a firearms licence could impede farmers from seeking help with mental health issues.
Sometimes a firearms licence was required in rural communities, he said.
Acting Superintendent Michael Mcilraith said police were focused on the safety of people using firearms, and those around them.
Police did not have legislative ability to suspend licences, only to revoke them, he said.