Thread: New government will rewrite Arms Act

Originally Posted by Tahr

Nicole McKee

I am humbled to be a part of what will be a Government of real change for the next three years. Today I was announced as the incoming Cabinet Minister for Courts and Associate Minister of Justice for firearms reform.
May I extend my heartfelt thanks to those that supported the ACT party by loaning us your party vote last month. My thanks also goes to those that have supported me personally, professionally and also to my family.
We have some really good firearms policy wins that we will be working towards. Some of these are straight away, some will occur over this term of Government - they are:
- Rewrite the Arms Act 1983 to provide for greater protection of public safety and simplify regulatory requirements to improve compliance and pass it through all stages during this term of Parliament.
- Transfer responsibility for the Arms Act 1983, policy and regulation to the Ministry of Justice, and the Firearms Safety Authority, administrator of the Act, to another department such as the Department of Internal Affairs.
- Review whether the Firearms Registry is effectively improving public safety, beginning by June 2024.
- Immediately begin to repeal and replace Part 6 of the Arms Act 1983 relating to clubs and ranges.
Now is the time to roll up the sleeves and start getting this work done.

Greetings @Tahr and all,
That is one shit load of work in 4 bullet points. The planner in me spots that most are on the critical path.
1. Transfer responsibility for Arms Act policy and regulation to the MoJ and administration to Internal Affairs or other. This is a big job to get the changes in place, funded, staffed and ready to go. Six months would be a tight time frame.
2. Commence a review the effectiveness of the Firearms Registry by June 2024. This can't really start until item 1 is complete because it is the MoJ that will drive the policy work.
3. Immediately begin to repeal and replace Part 6 of the Arms Act relating to Clubs and Ranges. See item 2. No doubt some discussion documents can be circulated but the real work wont start until item one is complete.
4. Rewrite the Arms Act and pass it through all stages in this term of Parliament. This looks like a stretch target, more aspirational than real. All the work needs to be compressed into about 18 months form June 2024 to December 2025. National wont want anything contentious going through Parliament in 2026. Until item 4 has been accomplished registration will remain.

As well as the tight time frame there is National slashing and burning budgets and staffing to pay for the tax cuts after their Foreign Buyer Tax got the arse not to mention the grandstanding and chest beating by the two minor coalition parties trying to stave of obliteration in the 2026 election. Please make sure that your seat belt is fastened and your tray table in the upright position as it will be a bumpy ride.
Regards
Grandpamac.