ACT campaign targets firearms owners

David Seymour is targeting gun owners in the leadup to an election he says is ‘‘fundamentally about private property rights’’.

In a campaign talk in Nelson on Thursday night, the ACT leader spoke on a wide range of topics which he linked back to property rights, including Ihumātao, his End of Life Choice Bill, and the gun buyback scheme implemented after last year’s terrorist attack on two Christchurch mosques.

Recent polls have shown enough support for ACT to win up to three seats in Parliament, something Seymour said could be linked to his lone opposition to the otherwise unanimously supported new law banning various types of rifles.

He estimated that there were ‘‘about 100,000 people’’ in the country who were energised enough about the gun law reform to change their vote, which he said would be enough to elect about five ACT MPs.

‘‘We could end up with five ACT MPs. I think we could end up with 56 National [MPs] – that makes 61.’’

Seymour said he was confident in the ability of National and ACT to form a coalition, but that voters motivated by gun law reform needed to vote for ACT to show there was an appetite for change.

‘‘If we get two people in [Parliament], firstly, I’ll still listen to you and work hard.’’

He also highlighted his euthanasia bill, which he said he had worked up from a single supporter in Parliament – himself – to a majority 69 votes in November last year.

The bill will be put to a referendum in the 2020 election alongside cannabis law reform. Seymour said people should consider not just whether they would want to have the option of an assisted death, but what they would want for others.

‘‘Even if you don’t like it or disagree with it, give other people the chance to make the decision themselves.’’