Thread: COLFO News Issue 6 – December 2018

Arms Act Administration

Acting Superintendent Mike McIlraith attended the November COLFO Executive meeting and provided an
update on progress achieved by the Arms Act Service Delivery Group.

In June Police attended at 18 locations speaking to both staff and separately the public. Main themes that
came from this consultation for Police to look at included: consistency, timeliness, legislative compliance,
trust and confidence and communication. Taking these key themes Police then ran a series of internal
workshops to understand what an improved service and service delivery model would look like. In October
the second set of community engagement meetings were run in 6 locations. There were less locations due
to prudence with funds. These meetings were with dealers and the public and provided updates as to
where the Arms Act Service Delivery Group (AASDG) are after the June community engagement meetings,
explaining Police ideas and progress. Most people agreed with the ideas presented by Police.

Police have decided to phase in the new system which will eventually provide a good number of online
services, noting that paper services will be maintained for those that elect to use paper. Online services will
require “RealMe” verified accounts as the identification process for users of the system. The online
services will also include the ability for applicants to pay for services online using their credit card or a bank
transfer. Future paper application forms will be updated to reflect the format of the online forms to allow
for efficient data retrieval.

Police are hoping that most services will be ready by late 2019, however the point was made that if a
choice evolved between getting the release right and sticking to the timeline, dates would move in favour
of getting it right. Overseas visitor permits will be rolled out first in about March 2019, from which time
these will need to be applied for before arriving in New Zealand and will no longer be available at our
airports. This will be followed by Dealers Licences and then permits to procure and import.

In regard to imports Police and Customs are working together to ensure both agencies are joined-up and
the future system will be better than currently experienced. This will mean that only items that have not
been issued a permit will be detained at the border and incomplete shipments should generally not be
delayed.

A/S Mc Ilraith advised that a technology based option for automatically updating the firearms owners
database would be ideal. Applying for permits to procure online and not having to physically take your
firearm into the local Police station is also a process he would like to see. There are possibilities that
licensed holders could have “skype” views with Police staff or could photograph and email the firearms
serial numbers when they are in possession of them. More work is required in this area before finalising
what the future looks like. New processes can be a way of treating the licensed owners as “fit and proper”
and trusting them as we have been continuously asking for. He stated that licensed holders should be
acknowledged as they are a community of fit and proper users and have been deemed to be by NZ Police.
With this comes a responsibility to maintain that fit and proper status. For those that err, Police will follow
up on their suitability to retain their licence, as is currently the case.

New Firearms Legislation expected soon

We are continually hearing rumours that the police and government are preparing for a review of the Arms
Act, although when they are asked direct questions about this the answers are evasive. COLFO is of the
view that any new legislation must address real issues based on hard evidence and be able to produce
measurable outcomes. When new legislation eventually comes forward it is vital that firearm owners are
united in their approach. Sadly when legislation was announced in the UK to ban semi auto rifles, and later
handguns, some interest groups took the attitude of “this doesn’t affect us so we don’t need to get
involved” which allowed these firearm bans and other draconian measures to succeed. We don’t want
that to happen in New Zealand, all for one and one for all needs to be our motto.

COLFOs mandate is to represent the interests of all firearm users, whatever their interests, whether it be
hunting, target shooting or collecting, with rifle, pistol or shotgun, as well as those who make a living
servicing the needs of the firearm community. In order to be effective in looking after your interests we
need the backing of all firearm owners, and those who make a living from firearms, not just those who are
affiliated through national associations and clubs.

For only $ 23 you can become an individual supporter of COLFO here: Home

Court Ruling on MSSA Length Leads to Unresolved Issues

In a case brought by NZ Hunter Group v police an Auckland District Court judge has ruled that an MSSA
with a retractable or telescopic butt-stock is to be measured with the butt closed or folded to determine its
legal length. COLFO is a financial contributor to the New Zealand Licensed Firearms Dealers Trust Fund
which supported this action.

However in another case Police v Dodd heard at the Whakatane District Court the judge indicated that the
length was to be measured from the end of the stock and should not include any barrel attachments unless
they were permanently fixed. Any firearm with an overall length of less than 762 mm is classed as a pistol.
This ruling also applies to any other rifle or shotgun with a retractable or folding butt-stock.

Importing Parts for ARs and AKs

COLFO has instructed our lawyer Nicholas Taylor to file a case in the High Court for a Judicial Review of the
Police policy on defining parts for these rifles as being part of an MSSA, regardless as to whether they were
manufactured for A Cat or E Cat. This will require a significant financial commitment from COLFO.

We have been advised that six other court cases are pending in relation to police policy decisions affecting
firearm owners and COLFO has already provided financial assistance to some of these.

Transporting Ammunition by Courier

Despite the Minister advising that safety ammunition, propellants and primers are exempt from limits on
transit times at courier depots; it seems problems are still being experienced by wholesalers and retailers
when shipping ammunition. Following a meeting with Worksafe officials in late November, COLFO is able
to advise that Worksafe have undertaken to consult with transport companies to resolve confusion over
the interpretation of the regulations. Another example of COLFO working hard for New Zealand firearm
owners, including retailers and distributors, please join us.

United Nations

UN – Programme of Action (POA) – combating and eradicating illicit trade of small arms. The POA have
previously stated that they would not interfere with sovereign laws. At the July 2018 UN POA meeting they
amended their programme so they now say that they want to strengthen national laws. This is a
concerning turn of events and something COLFO will watch closely as to how this could be implemented
going forward.

As I’m coming in March I’ll be one of the first to use the new system!
I’ll let you know how it goes!

Skype with police......guys if doing this watch out what is in the background! Also don’t go and get the keys to your safe while on the call!

The United Nations are cinching down on small arms trading and strengthening laws which in turn has had an effect on the NZ firearms community. Perhaps this is why we have been inundated with new "policies" and "ultra vires" behavior.

I agree you are reading the anti gun lobby right @GDMP. But "a major push" would also result in a full-on mobilisation of every FAL holder and their relatives.

So the anti gun enthusiasts won't rush to initiate a major push just at the drop of a hat. Missing piece is any bad gun-related incident - which can be used to justify political over-reaction.

Anyway, I'm joining COLFO tonight. Meanwhile the lawn calls.

Done and done.