A man has been charged after police found five “military-style” semi-automatic firearms hidden in children’s bedrooms in Napier.
The discovery was made while police — working alongside the Firearms Safety Authority — were carrying out a search at the home of a firearms licence holder.
Detective Senior Sergeant James Keene said concerns had been raised about the 42-year-old man’s fitness to hold a firearms license.
“One of the most disturbing aspects of the arrest involved the discovery of five prohibited firearms, military-style semi-automatics, in children’s bedrooms,” Keene said.
“The firearms were not locked away as required and ammunition was also accessible.”
Keene said officers were concerned that vulnerable children could have access to the firearms.
He added that the man “did not have the necessary endorsement on his firearms license to possess prohibited firearms”.
The man faced a total of 14 firearms and driving charges, including drink-driving, dangerous driving and failing to stop to ascertain injury; as well as unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, prohibited parts, prohibited ammunition and prohibited magazines; unlawful possession of a pistol; and using a document to obtain property.
He was currently remanded in custody.
The Firearms Safety Authority – Te Tari Pūreke had earlier suspended the man’s firearms licence after he was involved in a driving incident.
“This case is an excellent example of frontline police and the Firearms Safety Authority working together to share real-time intelligence that enables risk assessments and interventions to keep the public safe,” said authority executive director Angela Brazier.
“It is a privilege to possess and use firearms. All licence holders must act in the interests of personal and public safety.”
Brazier said most license holders were “fit and proper to use a firearm, understand their obligations and have no trouble meeting them”.
Anyone with concerns about a potential firearms offence was asked to phone police on 105, or 111 if life was in immediate danger, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
