Press release COLFO
The Council of Licensed Firearms Owners (COLFO) has welcomed the Government’s changes to ease the regulatory burden on gun clubs and shooting ranges.
COLFO spokesperson Hugh Devereux-Mack says it will make it easier to establish and operate new shooting ranges around New Zealand.
“Licensed firearm owners are happy with these changes, because it makes it much easier for people to operate and join local firearms clubs.
“We’d like to see more clubs and ranges – ideally three or more shooting ranges in every town and city. That would mean a rifle range, pistol range, and a shotgun club for each town – and more people becoming members of clubs.”
Hugh Devereux-Mack
Independent firearms experts have pointed out New Zealand has one of the lowest rates of club membership among licensed firearm owners, with only 5% of the firearm owning population belonging to a local club or range.
Devereux-Mack says that while the changes don’t remove all the Labour-Government-era rules placed on firearm clubs, they are a good step towards sensible firearm policy.
“Clubs are a chance to join a safety-focused community of legal firearm owners, practice safe firearms handling, and have any inconsistencies in your technique pointed out by fellow club members.”
“The last thing we want is a lone wolf scenario, where people are going out into the bush independently to practice and sight-in their firearms. You don’t learn proper firearms handling that way.”
Devereux-Mack says more firearms clubs and ranges will normalise the sport, giving New Zealanders greater visibility of how the more than 200,000 licensed Kiwis practice safe firearms handling.
“Many people fear guns because they don’t see them used sensibly or see their net benefit for the country. Pest culls and hunting are practiced out in the wilderness, hidden from the view of most Kiwis.”
“If your only interaction with guns is reading about crime in the news, of course you’ll end up viewing firearms ownership negatively.”
“More clubs and ranges mean more visibility of the New Zealanders who enjoy using firearms in a positive and safe way.”
For further information contact COLFO Spokesperson: Hugh Devereux-Mack. 027 362 0853
Footnote:- The facts on range safety.
There are around 1,200 ranges in New Zealand. These have never presented a danger to the public. Since 1987 there have been only 19 injuries at shooting clubs, 15 were at highly regulated police-certified pistol ranges, and 4 were police or military injuries – not recreational hunters or licensed firearm owners.
Ranges are a place of learning a respect for firearms and learning firearm safety. The Ardern/Hipkins regime aimed to stifle, perhaps ban, public firearm ownership?
Hugh Devereux-Mack and COLFO deserve thanks from every legal, licensed firearm owner. Well spoken Hugh. The comments by Police Association president Chris Cahill on media are simply fear mongering. Cahill is a bad advertisement for the Police. I have sympathy for the police especially front line, in today’s world.
NZ should be teaching youngsters firearm skills and a respect for firearms. Shooting ranges are ideal for that education.
The range nearest to me, while a great set up is not all that user friendly in terms of hours or dates you can attend. Be very useful and encourage more people to join up if there were professional ranges – surely there is enough demand in our biggest cities for such a service? Being restricted to one or two days a month and being required to book in and to pre-pay (at $50 a session) makes it a bit of a drama when a quick visit is all that is required.
Thank you Hugh and COLFO
Great Idea has we have Driving Schools & Mountain Bike tracks ! So why not enhance good Gun practise for everyone to see ?
There should be ranges in every major town and city.
Local and central govt have made it near impossible to sight a rifle in without having to travel many many miles.
A range for legitimate hunters and recreational shooters to have access to is a win for both sides