Thread: Firearms in Vehicles

I recall a news story about a guy from timaru, that was driving to Christchurch to deliver his gun to a gunsmith,
Rather than leave it unattended in his vehicle (a violation of the arms regulations 1992) he brought it with him when he stopped into to the public toilets in Ashburton, and was arrested by police for Carrying or possessing firearms, etc, except for*lawful,*proper, and sufficient purpose. (A violation of the arms act)

To my knowledge the arms regulations don't include prescribed penalties or offenses but for a violation of them and police can decide your no longer a fit and proper person.
The arms act 1983 does have offenses sections with fines and prison time, Possible on conviction.
So faced with possible arrest and criminal charges or a regulatory infraction and possible loss of licence which should you choose?

In the old days I used to travel to hanmer and greymouth from Nelson regularly with my 308 in a soft gun bag strapped to the side of my motorcycle . Stops for fuel included and no one used to bat an eyelid .
Doubt that would be possible any more .

Originally Posted by OBRIEN

I recall a news story about a guy from timaru, that was driving to Christchurch to deliver his gun to a gunsmith,
Rather than leave it unattended in his vehicle (a violation of the arms regulations 1992) he brought it with him when he stopped into to the public toilets in Ashburton, and was arrested by police for Carrying or possessing firearms, etc, except for*lawful,*proper, and sufficient purpose. (A violation of the arms act)

To my knowledge the arms regulations don't include prescribed penalties or offenses but for a violation of them and police can decide your no longer a fit and proper person.
The arms act 1983 does have offenses sections with fines and prison time, Possible on conviction.
So faced with possible arrest and criminal charges or a regulatory infraction and possible loss of licence which should you choose?

The Police use a lock box. They cant remove the bolts from Bushmasters easily. The only solution for us I can see, is to copy the Police and use a lock box and where the bolt cannot be removed use a trigger lock as well. I believe that a judge would have to dismiss a charge of leaving a firearm in an unattended vehicle if the defense was that the firearm was secured in a way identical to that used by the Police

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

The Police use a lock box. They cant remove the bolts from Bushmasters easily. The only solution for us I can see, is to copy the Police and use a lock box and where the bolt cannot be removed use a trigger lock as well. I believe that a judge would have to dismiss a charge of leaving a firearm in an unattended vehicle if the defense was that the firearm was secured in a way identical to that used by the Police

Police are exempt from the arms act so it doesn't matter

Originally Posted by Danger Mouse

Police are exempt from the arms act so it doesn't matter

I think it does matter how the Police transport firearms because it sets a precedent and example.

A judge would be bound by what the law says, which is that it is illegal to leave firearms in an unattended vehicle.
A lockbox is useless if they steal the vehicle.

Originally Posted by Cigar

A judge would be bound by what the law says, which is that it is illegal to leave firearms in an unattended vehicle.
A lockbox is useless if they steal the vehicle.

A well constructed lockbox is far from useless if it cannot easily be opened and the vehicle is recovered quickly after being abandoned with valuables removed as often happens. I have never heard of Police firearms being taken from a locked storage box, but Police vehicles are stolen quite often

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

A well constructed lockbox is far from useless if it cannot easily be opened and the vehicle is recovered quickly after being abandoned with valuables removed as often happens. I have never heard of Police firearms being taken from a locked storage box, but Police vehicles are stolen quite often

Here you go,happened in 2019 -

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/122...-and-gun-theft

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

A well constructed lockbox is far from useless if it cannot easily be opened and the vehicle is recovered quickly after being abandoned with valuables removed as often happens. I have never heard of Police firearms being taken from a locked storage box, but Police vehicles are stolen quite often

Well of the three vehicles I've had stolen in about five years only one was recovered. And it doesn't take long for them to steal one.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

Well of the three vehicles I've had stolen in about five years only one was recovered. And it doesn't take long for them to steal one.

Perhaps I haven't explained my position clearly, that being 'The taking of all reasonable steps' to prevent the thieft of firearms and not putting oneself in a situation where a firearm is carried in public potentially causing alarm etc.
Granted the law is incomplete on the matter of firearms transport, but that does not mean that responsible owners cannot go beyond what is required to secure their firearms. Mine are locked to the vehicle when in transit. If I have to leave the vehicle the bolt is carried on my person

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Perhaps I haven't explained my position clearly, that being 'The taking of all reasonable steps' to prevent the thieft of firearms and not putting oneself in a situation where a firearm is carried in public potentially causing alarm etc.
Granted the law is incomplete on the matter of firearms transport, but that does not mean that responsible owners cannot go beyond what is required to secure their firearms. Mine are locked to the vehicle when in transit. If I have to leave the vehicle the bolt is carried on my person

But it is illegal to do so. It is clearly stated in the statutes. Therefore taking with you to avoid breaking such a clearly laid out law must be a legitimate purpose.

its illegal to smoke a cigarette inside a company vechille........ever seen anyone fined /arrested/sacked for doing so???????

yeah but they have had...how many is it now??? pinched in last couple of years....so we are actually BETTER at firearm security in trasit than they are..... maybe they should be copying us...LOL.

didnt it happen last year???as loxbox keys were on car keyring???

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

didnt it happen last year???as loxbox keys were on car keyring???

Well if it did, all I can say is there's no helping some people and hopefully those officers are now doing clerical work and dont breed