Concern over starter pistols

Police Minister Chris Hipkins says he will consider cracking down on starter pistols as ‘‘a very large number’’ of the blank-firing handguns enter the country. Hipkins, in an interview this week, said the starter pistols sold by retailers – which are used to start races and do not require a firearms licence to purchase – could be modified to become conventional pistols. ‘‘There has been a significant increase in the number of starter pistols coming into the country . . . that is an area of concern that we have to look at.’’ The Police Association has warned converted starter pistols are being found by police officers. But Hipkins’ assertions have been disputed by David Tipple, the owner of retailer Gun City. ‘‘Is he actually joking? Why don’t you ask him to show you one that has been successfully converted,’’ Tipple said. Police Association vice-president Grant Gerken said police officers were finding converted starter pistols and recent court cases showed young people were using them to intimidate when committing crimes.