New law ‘hard on gangs with guns’
The Government is changing its legislation to go harder on gangs with guns, says Police Minister Stuart Nash.
Hitting out at the Opposition for not backing the Arms Legislation Bill ahead of its second reading on Wednesday evening, Nash said he could not understand why the National Party would not support going after gangs and tougher penalties for gun crime. The new law will include an online, self-service firearms registry, harsher penalties and a new system of warning flags to show if a person may not be a fit and proper person to hold a firearms licence.
The National Party is not supporting the bill, saying it was improperly targeted and should be focused on ‘‘genuine criminal activity and gangs’’.
The bill placed ‘‘greater responsibility, regulation, and costs on individuals and groups who already obey the law’’, it said.
Ahead of the second reading, National Party MP Brett Hudson announced National would be submitting seven amendments that included removing the proposed register, exemptions and changes to the fit and proper person test relating to violent, hateful or extremist speech or behaviour. ACT leader and MP David Seymour also proposed three amendments and challenged NZ First to support his proposed changes. He sought to remove what he called the worst elements of the bill: ‘‘a firearms register, new regulations on shooting clubs, and an invasion of the doctor-patient relationship are all counter-productive to public safety.’’ But Nash said the changes were ‘‘too little, too late’’.
The bill sets out specific criteria to guide the police in determining whether an applicant meets the fit and proper person standard. A section will be inserted to say this would not be the case if an applicant was a member of, or has close affiliations with, a gang or an organised criminal group.
Nash said be believed National had not thoroughly read that part of the legislation, which would make it significantly harder for gangs to get hold of guns.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the bill was an important part of the Government’s plan to ensure guns were kept out of the hands of gangs and those who did not have the character to possess them.
Meanwhile, the gun lobby has been putting pressure on NZ First to renege on its commitment to pass the gun laws. The Council of Licensed Firearm Owners has been sending fundraising newsletters and updates to tell supporters they still believed NZ First MPS were the most likely way to ‘‘win this’’ and ‘‘prevent the dangers a register would pose, and defeat the bill’’.
But NZ First MPS told Stuff this week they would be supporting the bill. Nash said he was working with NZ First MP Ron Mark, who also confirmed the party would support the bill.