Dannevirke hands in its f irearms

A steady stream of firearm owners has handed in weapons on the first day of Dannevirke’s buy-back and amnesty event.

People turned up to the Dannevirke showgrounds in High St yesterday with weapons and parts, as part of the Government’s gun buy-back amid the tightening of firearms laws since the Christchurch mosque shootings.

A man from Dannevirke was bringing in a shotgun and an AR-15 rifle. He said he used his guns for hunting. Having to hand in his firearms ‘‘made an innocent man feel guilty’’, but he said he knew the alternative was ‘‘a fine or jail time for having them’’.

The owner said he would be happy as long as he was compensated fairly.

Community Patrol volunteer John Heald was helping the police and Ma¯ ori wardens manage the event.

He said it was running smoothly and estimated about 25 cars had passed through during the first hour. ‘‘I think the mood is pretty good really. People realise it’s got to happen.’’

The buy-back is on again in Dannevirke today from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Yesterday afternoon, police were unable to say how many people had handed in their guns.

They are asking gun owners to hand in prohibited firearms under amnesty or for buy-back at collection events as part of the Arms (prohibited firearms, parts and magazines) Amendment Act.

More than 12,000 guns have been handed into the police throughout New Zealand after five weeks of the buy-back scheme, with nearly 11,000 of those being prohibited weapons. Firearms owners have received $22.4 million in compensation so far.

In a statement, deputy commissioner Mike Clement said the attitude of firearms owners had been outstanding.

‘‘They have really engaged in the process and police staff involved in the buyback have heard positive feedback.’’