Thread: New government will rewrite Arms Act

You can get in touch on ACTs website

https://www.act.org.nz/contact_nicole_mckee

Interesting to see how it all plays out after the dust settles. I do welcome any review or rewrite of the Arms Act.

However, without sounding too pessimistic, I think we can observe some interesting trends within our parliament.

By my count we have 28 ministers, two undersecretaries, and 76 portfolios. This is actually up from 68 in 2017. For parties that campaigned against governmental bloat this is a notable increase and signals the level 'ministerial creep' within government in a broader sense. Increasingly we have ministers for X that don't map onto actual ministries, and therefore lack real levers of power to instigate change.

Not saying this is the case with firearms law reform but more generally I think we should be cautious when a new government comes in with a pile of feel-good ministerial titles as a result of prolonged negotiations. I would like to see a more lean and effective government with a serious work program.

It is good to have an active minister however and as everyone has said engaging them directly is a good idea. After all they all work for us.

Greetings All,
It has been a fair while since 1969, the first election I voted in. MMP has changed everything. With FPP there was much less policy in the campaign and that not always delivered on. Today there is plenty of policy released by the parties but only that which makes it into the coalition agreement becomes Government Policy. This is what has happened over recent weeks. Some that have posted above may be oblivious to this. Hanging out for an end to firearms registration could be a long wait and an even longer one for the return of centrefire semi autos. The words until hell freezes over spring to mind.
Regards Grandpamac.

It’s a good day for our sport, removing it from the Police is fantastic, certain hierarchy in there have constantly demonstrated their disdain towards lawful FAL holders and used us as scapegoats for their mistakes. Dialling back the range requirements will help smaller clubs to continue, one of the reasons we run public nights for non members is so folk don’t go to the local river, etc to find a spot to sight there rifle in.
Also if a friendly farmer wants to allow a bunch of Forum members to use a paddock to have Gong session it should be able to be done legally using common sense.

Hopefully with it going to Justice they can tie it in with some heftier sentencing for gun crime, throw prohibition orders at the gangs and things will be looking a bit more sensible all round. I have no doubt that Nicole will do a good job for us.

this is good to hear so early on from act and that it was a main priority in negotiations for them.I to feel real good about giving them my vote and actually feel they do care about us gun owners.All they need to do to get the general public on side with this is to say they are going to come down hard like sledge hammer hard on illegal fire arms owners ie gangs and that they are going to actively hunt them down and find the guns.And then ultimately relax the laws again for the law abiding again.

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.

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.

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.

I know Nicole and wish her well.

I am concerned about the proposed transfer of functions from Police to the Dept of Internal Affairs (DIA).
I strikes me as out of the pan into the fire.

I have previously seen worked DIA work on other issues and proposals.
I was and am very unimpressed (to say the least) with the work of DIA.
DIA staff's lack of competency and predetermined bias was both surprising and disappointing.
You make think DIA will be better than Police regarding management & administration of firearms regulation and law & I hope they will be but I am fearful that they won't be.
I am fearful that the transfer will be another opportunity for the anti-gun lobby to get their hands on the reins of power which won't be good for us.

Remember the path to Hell is paved with good intentions

Originally Posted by Cyclops

I know Nicole and wish her well.

I am concerned about the proposed transfer of functions from Police to the Dept of Internal Affairs (DIA).
I strikes me as out of the pan into the fire.

I have previously seen worked DIA work on other issues and proposals.
I was and am very unimpressed (to say the least) with the work of DIA.
DIA staff's lack of competency and predetermined bias was both surprising and disappointing.
You make think DIA will be better than Police regarding management & administration of firearms regulation and law & I hope they will be but I am fearful that they won't be.
I am fearful that the transfer will be another opportunity for the anti-gun lobby to get their hands on the reins of power which won't be good for us.

Remember the path to Hell is paved with good intentions

TeRei made a good point in a previous post: Just like the seperation of powers in Government it is necessary for gun rights to be removed from the police who have assumed a role of judge and executioner.

Originally Posted by Cyclops

I know Nicole and wish her well.

I am concerned about the proposed transfer of functions from Police to the Dept of Internal Affairs (DIA).
I strikes me as out of the pan into the fire.

I have previously seen worked DIA work on other issues and proposals.
I was and am very unimpressed (to say the least) with the work of DIA.
DIA staff's lack of competency and predetermined bias was both surprising and disappointing.
You make think DIA will be better than Police regarding management & administration of firearms regulation and law & I hope they will be but I am fearful that they won't be.
I am fearful that the transfer will be another opportunity for the anti-gun lobby to get their hands on the reins of power which won't be good for us.

Remember the path to Hell is paved with good intentions

On the other hand, DIA has some people that are VERY competent and experienced and has had technology projects that have been very successfully implemented in the past. If any agency has the background and resourcing to take this on, it's DIA.

What a good lady !!!

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While I no longer think the ownership of centre fire semis again is impossible, there is certainly a long road to get there, even if it doesn't happen, which could still very well be the case it's certainly a step In the right direction, with the removal of police from arms act management, and a complete rewrite of the arms act, today is certainly looking to be a much better day for our community than this day last year

I take more from a freshly formed govt announcing policy that I take from any opposition parties seeking your vote by making promises.

This is a good outcome, so far...

An accountable outcome by agreement of all, not just a wish list from 1 of 3..

the math is good..... better than it has been for some time...

but just remember, the master of disaster is one of those 3 - he aint so hot at putting others in front of himself... Winnie always be first...

I think there is a bit of an audit and then purge to be done within the head of the police, the minister of disarmament ( yes it is not talked about but it does exist) and those among the government at the time who helped to shape the current gun law and threw under the bus the shooters and hunters after xchurch events.
Yes,putting Winnie in charge of the media ( finance) for the next 6 months to a year would be an entertaining experience.

Originally Posted by Friwi

I think there is a bit of an audit and then purge to be done within the head of the police, the minister of disarmament ( yes it is not talked about but it does exist) and those among the government at the time who helped to shape the current gun law and threw under the bus the shooters and hunters after xchurch events.
Yes,putting Winnie in charge of the media ( finance) for the next 6 months to a year would be an entertaining experience.

Are you remembering that Winnie was the Minister of Disarmament in 2019?