Second Phase of Firearm Reforms on Track – Nicole McKee

Very recently the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Bill passed its third reading in Parliament. 

“This means that the second phase of my work programme to reform New Zealand’s firearms laws is now complete,” said Associate Minister  off Justice Nicole McKee.

She said it was often a battle to convince the Opposition of the important role that our clubs and ranges for public safety. 

“They also failed to understand the fact that the vast majority of these clubs and ranges are run by volunteers who give up their valuable time to the benefit of others. It is absolute lunacy that the opposition would rather see ranges close their doors and have people sighting their rifles in down at the riverbank rather than rewrite the law to relieve operators of unnecessary regulatory requirements that were placing their futures in doubt.”

The Bill which was passed today recognises the important role that clubs and ranges play in our communities.  Keeping clubs and ranges open means that New Zealanders will continue to have safe and controlled areas to practice, learn, and compete with firearms.

“As I did in the House, I want to thank all those volunteer club and range committees across New Zealand. I recognise their endless dedication to their disciplines, their members and their communities, and I trust the changes passed into law today will aid and support their ongoing operation,” said Nicole McKee. “I also have an update to provide you on the fourth phase of the firearms reform, the rewrite of the Arms Act. Since public submissions closed on 28 February, I know people have been eagerly awaiting what might come next.”

The Ministry of Justice has advised Nicole McKee that they received thousands of submissions, many in the last week of the consultation process. The Ministry is now in the process of collating and analysing the submissions and the Ministry is also preparing advice on policy options.

The Ministry will continue to update the firearms reform page on the Ministry’s website as work proceeds.

“In the meantime I encourage you to share this email with your friends, family, and fellow licenced firearms owners. It they want to sign up for updates on my firearms reform programme the link is available here,” she said.

Nicole McKee – “second phase now complete”