Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has dismissed police concerns that proposed changes to gun club rules could make it easier for gangs to obtain ammunition.
Police fear that the reduced reporting of ammunition sales at gun clubs “may create a loophole to enable organised criminal groups to access ammunition”, according to recently released documents.
The advice raised concerns that proposals provided the appearance of regulatory oversight, while limiting the ability of the regulator to monitor and ensure the safe operation of ranges.
However, speaking to media, Luxon dismissed the police concerns, telling reporters the changes were just a tweak.
“It’s a minor technical change where if you have guns and ammunition stored on ranges, they don’t need to be reported,” he said. “If guns or ammunition’s taken off a range, it does.”
Meanwhile, the minister responsible for firearms reforms said properly enforcing licencing rules would mean ammunition wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said: “It’s concerning that [Police] think that gang members can go into clubs and onto ranges and purchase ammunition.
“That would mean that they’re required to have a firearms licence to do so and I would sincerely hope that Police have removed firearm licences from gang members so that they don’t have that opportunity.”
Speaking to 1News, McKee rejected suggestions her changes were a sham.
“I think the regulations imposed in the first place were a bit of a sham and completely unecessary,” she said.
Labour’s police spokesperson Ginny Andersen slammed the Government’s response to officials’ concerns, suggesting that “the Wild West is coming to a backyard near you”.
“What’s the point of taking patches off gang members if we’re giving them bullets?” she said.
“The Government is putting New Zealanders in danger.
“We have a gun lobbyist rewriting our Arms Act. She is putting her gun mates ahead of the safety of our communities.”