Thread: Arms Act 2025 consultation submissions

Originally Posted by D@n

I read the submission from gun control NZ, in which they are pushing for "Increasing the minimum age for holding a firearms licence to 18 and prohibit children under the age of 10 from using firearms"

crazy

I actually think the 18 age has some merit, perhaps with exemptions for people under that age in full time employment requiring firearms. I have seen some 16 and 17 year olds doing stupid things with firearms. 18 is the voting age, and you can't get a full driving licence at 16 any more either.

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

I actually think the 18 age has some merit, perhaps with exemptions for people under that age in full time employment requiring firearms. I have seen some 16 and 17 year olds doing stupid things with firearms. 18 is the voting age, and you can't get a full driving licence at 16 any more either.

I don't think you can place an age limit on stupidity unfortunately... 16 as it is currently is fine from my estimation as it relies on character reference, training of a form, background inspection and vetting, and face to face interaction with the assessment staff which is the same for all age people wanting a licence. 18 is the age for owning airguns without a licence, so the age indication is already in place and you get a two-year benefit for going in and being vetted and sitting your licence. It's completely different to car licences and more like aviation in how stringent it is.