Thread: Change to expired license laws

It seems the limitation on admin might have finally started sinking in. Shame that it won't start them thinking about how impossible it will be to process the registry information - manually (which is where the rumour mill places the current functionality of the system...).

My submission - mostly i agree but how it is implemented matters as well.

Arms (Licence Holders' Applications for New Licences) Amendment Bill

I/We wish to make the following comments:
“I generally support the Bill as written but have some comment as to how this process will work for someone who has an expired firearms license but is awaiting the outcome of the license renewal application.
A firearms license may be used in the following situations:
1.) When buying a firearm or ammunition (either in a shop, online via mail order form or permit to procure, or directly from a person).
2.) Produced when asked for by a member of Police.
3.) Produced when asked for by a member of the Department of Conservation, Customs, etc.
4.) Produced when asked for to compete in a sport shooting / shooting competition.
5.) Produced when asked for when transporting a firearm by commercial air travel.

The expired license awaiting renewal needs to be able to be used as a valid licences in all current uses of a valid license.
How will the public be able to check if a "expired" license is still valid because it is still awaiting the outcome of the license renewal application?”

I/We wish to make the following recommendations:
“As above, I generally support the intent of the Bill given the Police resourcing concerns both post-COVID and in light of the upcoming surge in renewal application on the 10year anniversary of the implementation of 10 year licenses.

I recommend that a new firearms license card be issued to the firearm license holder that is valid for 1 year following their existing license expiry date. This gives the firearm license holder a valid license to use in their day-to-day use while also removing the excuse of "my license has expired but i am waiting for the renewal to be processed". I would also expect this would make it easier to use existing online license validity checking tools. Police will still be able to revoke a license based on the renewal application being failed. Police will still be able to "flatten the 10 year renewal curve" by issuing a 1 year license followed by a second 1 year license if required.”

https://www.parliament.nz/en/ECommit...eateSubmission

Originally Posted by no1_49er

Looks like they're giving it the hurry-up through the Parliament.

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/m...nces-amendment
Submissions close midnight THIS THURSDAY.

Seems like a good time to tell them how they've finally found some common-sense and should push this through.

Correction, midnight tonight.

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Originally Posted by Eat Meater

Correction, midnight tonight.

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Yes, you are correct.
However, the original submission closure time WAS midnight Thursday. For who knows what reason, it has now been truncated to tonight, Wednesday.

One thing my mate pointed out, is that for those impacted by Covid and not able to process or more importantly, pay for their renewal it would appear you're stuffed. This bill does nothing. He was lucky, they called the lockdown off just in time for him to get into the post shop and pay his money!

An update on this. The Select Committee reported back yesterday. They listened to submissions. When passed, the extension of expired licences would [rightly so] apply to licence holders who applied for a licence renewal before the commencement of the Act. The expired licence would remain valid, including endorsements, until the applicarion had been considered.

How this would be implemented practically I don't know. I imagine dealers would only sell to people holding a current licence. At least people won't have to pay for storage etc while they wait.

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Originally Posted by Eat Meater

An update on this. The Select Committee reported back yesterday. They listened to submissions. When passed, the extension of expired licences would [rightly so] apply to licence holders who applied for a licence renewal before the commencement of the Act. The expired licence would remain valid, including endorsements, until the applicarion had been considered.

How this would be implemented practically I don't know. I imagine dealers would only sell to people holding a current licence. At least people won't have to pay for storage etc while they wait.

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Reading a bit more. Implementation would involve dealers using the licence checker system

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

The changes should be law by the end of the month!

From ACT...
Parliament is currently sitting under urgency as the Government pushes through 24 bills over four days. Late last night the Arms (Licence Holders’ Applications for New Licences) Amendment Bill was heard in the House of Representatives under urgency. We debated all remaining stages of the Bill which passed unanimously.
Once the Bill has been given Royal Assent from the Governor General, those with expired licences that applied for renewal before the expiry will be given an extension. That extension will be valid until determination of their application is made by the current arms administrators, New Zealand Police.
Last night we had it clarified that the extensions should be operational on or by 29 November 2022, a mere four days away.
The best way to check validity will be by using the NZ Police online licence checker or calling NZ Police directly for validation (yeah, good luck with that).
This is a big victory for firearms owners, and it is satisfying to see it finally come into effect. It has been many years of advocacy to get to this moment.
The details are:
• The thousands of people who are already in the system and meet the criteria of having applied for renewal before expiry, are retrospectively covered by this legislation from 29th November 2022.
• All endorsements that are on those licences are also covered.
• The ability to buy, sell, trade and use firearms, ammunition and parts will need to be validated by those you are dealing with. Keep an eye on the NZ Police website for how to access this validation process.
• Police will “triage” those that require a closer look as to their fit and proper status over those that have not come to Police attention. That means, some could be waiting longer than others to be processed – Police advise that they are still aiming to process all within their 90-day target.
• Police will advise airlines and ferry services of the online licence checker details when it is available to access.
• All licenced owners will eventually need to provide an email address to Police for contact. Be aware, if you confirm that the email address is where you can be contacted, it can also be used to serve documents on you too. If you are a member of a club or run a range, improvement notices may be emailed to you with time frames such as 28 days to complete a required improvement. The Minister advised in the House last night that Police will take a pragmatic approach to how this change will be utilised.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support of the ACT Party. My thanks also to the individuals and organisations who submitted with only 24 hours notice. All organisations did your members proud.
This battle is won, but there are more to come.
Yours sincerely,

Nicole McKee, ACT Party Spokesperson for Firearms Reform

The web checking of FAL under the new law should be live tomorrow, so the people awaiting renewal should be able to purchase etc from tomorrow

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

According to the Parliament web-site, the Bill received Royal Assent yesterday, 28th Nov. https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bill...nces-amendment
So, no need to panic any more if you applied for renewal within the correct time frame.

I would still suggest stocking up on ammo before your licience expires within reason just to prevent a potential hassle at the counter.

We know how well systems don't work like they should all the time.