PM ‘disappointed’ by lack of Nats gun law support

We watch in disbelief how politics skews the gun debate in the United States.

Chris Cahill, Police Association President

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she is “really disappointed” that National has indicated it won’t support the second part of gun law reforms.

National Leader Simon Bridges yesterday said his party would not be supporting the upcoming bill, as it was targeting the wrong people.

This comes as the Police Association has called for political unity on the gun debate and urged National to support the bill in its first reading.

Ardern said she was hoping National could again support gun legislation when it comes before Parliament.

The first tranche of gun laws passed through Parliament almost unanimously, with just Act leader David Seymour in opposition.

They were rushed through Parliament after the March 15 terror attacks, where a gunman murdered 51 people using automatic weapons.

Bridges said the first gun bill “stacked up” and was the right thing to do.

But the second tranche of laws — soon to go through Cabinet — seemed to be aimed at “good, law-abiding people rather than the crims [criminals], the gangs and the extremists”, he said.

The second tranche would put in place a national gun register, tighter rules for gun dealership licences and put in place higher penalties for breaking current gun rules.

Asked if National were playing politics by indicating it would not support the bill, Ardern said: “I would hope not. This is about safety.

“I would like to think the vast majority of New Zealanders, including law-abiding gun owners, would agree with that.”

Police Association President Chris Cahill said he was concerned with National’s decision. “I hope that all politicians, including National Party politicians, see the suite of firearms reforms as a once-in-a-generation chance to rid our communities of assault weapons and deliver transparency with respect to how many weapons we have in New Zealand.”

Cahill said the law changes were “about making our communities safer and ensuring fair compensation for those who now need to give up certain firearms”.

Cahill said the buyback was going “extremely well”.

“We watch in disbelief how politics skews the gun debate in the United States. I am certain New Zealanders do not want to see our politicians go down the oft-trodden road of ignoring the role firearms play in mass shooting after mass shooting, and do nothing about reforming gun laws,” Cahill said.