Thread: Firearm licencing

8 months.... 8 bloody months since I put my renewal through, 7 months since they got back to my referees and 1 month and 10 days since my referees and I had our interviews.
3 months since my license expired, meaning I can't go and enjoy my guns around the farm like I usually do.

What a joke. Now it comes out that they spent $6m on taking 1000 firearms off legitimate owners. (that's 6k per firearm for those struggling with math)
Imagine if they'd put that money and effort towards catching up on licensing?

Right, done ranting, where do I make a complaint?

Originally Posted by Skirch

8 months.... 8 bloody months since I put my renewal through, 7 months since they got back to my referees and 1 month and 10 days since my referees and I had our interviews.
3 months since my license expired, meaning I can't go and enjoy my guns around the farm like I usually do.

What a joke. Now it comes out that they spent $6m on taking 1000 firearms off legitimate owners. (that's 6k per firearm for those struggling with math)
Imagine if they'd put that money and effort towards catching up on licensing?

Right, done ranting, where do I make a complaint?

Try your MP if not with the current lot. Don't think FA owners are on their priority list unless it's an ACT seat.

I don't want anything to do with politicians. They're the cause of this mess.

When it comes to renewals, does the AO give you a call beforehand to organize a date they can come and see you/inspect your safe...or do they just rock up whenever?

I've still got 2 years left on mine, but considering starting the application process now.

Yip they call they give you a questionnaire and interview again then check safe
.mine took no more than 8 weeks from application to new card arriving

25Duration of firearms licence
(1) A firearms licence comes into force on the date specified in the licence and, unless revoked or surrendered earlier,—
(a) expires 5 years from that date in the case of—
(i) a licence issued to a person who has never previously held a firearms licence; or
(ii) a licence issued to a person whose previous licence was revoked or surrendered; or
(iii) a licence issued to a person who allowed their previous licence to expire without applying for a new licence before the expiry date:
(b) expires 10 years from that date in any other case.

My sons application went through, hes done the MS course and passed the test.....that was over 12mths now.
Still no interviews been done.

Depends on the region, licence and if its renewal or a new licence. I got my B-cat renewal back in about 3 months. My Mrs new B-cat took 5 months to come back.

Taking to the vetter that came around, Hawkes Bay is not too far behind but most of the delays are at the Kapati Main office end. They also lost a lot of vetters after they when to PDF's on laptops rather than paper, a lot of the older guys just stopped doing it as it was too much hassle.

Looking forward to when my privilege finally gets processed. March last year and waiting still...

I just dont understand why this is all taking so long. Councils have 20 days to process a building consent and those are far more complex than this. Heck, outsource it to them!

Originally Posted by T.FOYE

Looking forward to when my privilege finally gets processed. March last year and waiting still...

I just dont understand why this is all taking so long. Councils have 20 days to process a building consent and those are far more complex than this. Heck, outsource it to them!

Auckland district was in lockdown for about 4 months. No vetting was possible in that time. That didn't and doesn't help the backlog.

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

Auckland district was in lockdown for about 4 months. No vetting was possible in that time. That didn't and doesn't help the backlog.

well new application since July 2020, no interview yet. this is auckland

Originally Posted by hakka_ranger

well new application since July 2020, no interview yet. this is auckland

You need to get on to that and find out why.

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

You need to get on to that and find out why.

Yap I did call them and asked politely. The officers are nice people. Just standard answer, waiting for the vetting officer and many backlog etc, I already called like 4-5 times in these 1.5 years. Unfortunately, no progress as usual.

I got my renewal sorted before Christmas.

I applied mid May.

Got it mid December.

I'm also endorsed. New licences look a tad different.

Yep you have to understand that Prior to the Mosque shooting the Police were actively looking to make the licencing system an online platform and a number of the vetting officers were told they would no longer be required. This was the plan, however port the shooting we have now seen increased legislation being drafted (poorly)which increases the scope of factors which need to be addressed when a firearms licence application is made. We have also seen the creation of additional licence categories and a reduction in the time a firearms licence is valid.
Governments draft legislation without any regard to the flow on consequences of any agency involved, in this case the Police. The Police budget was not increased to cover the additional work load, hence the issues everyone is now facing. This Government have no regard for firearms licence holders and could not care less about the issues licence holders are facing.
You also have to remember that internal Police Policy and focus is set by PNHQ and with a commissioner who is very political his focus will not be on rectifying this as they do not have the funding, nor is it a priority.

For those questioning about the renewal of a firearms licence, Section 25 (1) outlines the process of renewals)
A firearms licence comes into force on the date specified in the licence and,
unless revoked or surrendered earlier,—
(a) expires 5 years from that date in the case of—
(i) a licence issued to a person who has never previously held a firearms licence; or
(ii) a licence issued to a person whose previous licence was revoked
or surrendered; or
(iii) a licence issued to a person who allowed their previous licence to
expire without applying for a new licence before the expiry date:
(b) expires 10 years from that date in any other case

The problem here is that we all have 10 year licences, which the act does not cover, so while you are covered during your renewal of a 5 year licence, it does not mention the renewal of a 10 year licence as your licence expires after 10 years and there appears to be no grace period.
I would urge all licence holders to download the new arms legislation and have a good look at everything this new act encompasses.
Check out section 24A fit and proper person, pay attention to section (C) which outlines some of the other legislation which is now included in the fit and proper person assessment, these were added and include the following

A Fit and proper person to possess firearm or airgun
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a member of the Police may find a person is not a
fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or an airgun if the member of the Police is satisfied that 1 or more of the following circumstances
exist:
(a) the person is charged with or has been convicted of an offence in New
Zealand or overseas that is punishable by a term of imprisonment
(including, but not limited to, an offence involving violence, drugs, or
alcohol):
(b) the person is charged with or has been convicted of an offence under this
Act:
(c) the person is charged with or has been convicted of an offence against—
(i) section 231A of the Crimes Act 1961; or
(ii) the Game Animal Council Act 2013; or
(iii) the Wildlife Act 1953; or
(iv) the Wild Animal Control Act 1977:
2020 No 23 Arms Legislation Act 2020 Part 1 s 42
45
(d) the person has, or has had at any time, a temporary protection order
made against them under—
(i) section 79 of the Family Violence Act 2018; or
(ii) section 14 of the Domestic Violence Act 1995:

Its important to read the above acts and look at the interpretations at the start of each act as these define the legal scope covered by the act, you many be surprised how open these interpretations are and how wide ranging section 24A is.
Note the key phase used throughout this legislation which is charged or convicted, you are guilty until proven innocent in this case, once charged you are no longer deemed to be a fit and proper person. I understand why this is drafted like this but its has a very open scope, Unfortunately most offences are punishable by imprisonment, it not your sentencing, you may not have gone to prison but if the offence is punishable by imprisonment it can be used against you.

The key thing to remember is that make sure everything related to your security and use of firearms is in order so that if you find your self in the unfortunate position of having your fit and proper person status questioned you can mitigate things by displaying that you are a responsible firearms licence holder. Believe me this fit and proper person clause gives the Police a lot of scope to challenge your status if they so desire.