Introduction

To the Justice Select Committee,

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My name is XXX

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I am a licensed firearm owner and have had my license since (YEAR). I use my firearms predominantly for (insert the sporting disciplines you enjoy such as hunting, IPSC, clay targets, collecting etc).

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I am writing to express my general support for the Arms Bill as it is presented, however believe that there are areas where it can be further improved to better balance the safety of all New Zealanders, while also ensuring that law-abiding licensed firearm owners are not unfairly targeted by police, burdened by impractical restrictions that do not enhance public safety, or are treated as second-class citizens as we have been since 2019. I also support the COLFO submission, which includes a detailed analysis of the bill as presented.

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Add any personal experience or information you feel may give your submission more weight or context.

Short Summary for a Simple Submission:
(Edit this into your own words and submit it in the section “Feedback on the Bill as it is Presented”)

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I support the establishment of an independent firearm regulatory agency in New Zealand, led by a Chief Executive tasked with enabling legitimate civilian ownership and use of firearms. The relationship between Police and licensed firearm owners deteriorated after the 2019 Christchurch terror attack, as Police scapegoated licensed owners and firearm laws to avoid accountability. Since then, Police have treated licensed owners as potential criminals, bullied and intimidated the community without oversight, mishandled data causing multiple breaches, and faced scandals such as McSkimming's, proving they are unfit for administering regulations for law-abiding citizens.

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Police exist to catch criminals; remove firearms administration from them to allow focus on enforcement, while permitting information sharing with the new agency, similar to drivers' licences, without granting Police control over the agency that handles civil matters. Remove section 69-2-c, "any other matters the chief executive considers relevant," as this vague clause enables subjective denials or revocations without objective reasons, fostering bullying. Include only objective criteria, such as gang membership, in legislation. Eliminate section 69-3-b, "consider information obtained from any source," to prevent reliance on unverified complaints or rumours. Although section 69-4 provides a right to respond, it offers no meaningful protection without oversight on executive powers. The right to appeal decisions to district courts must be maintained to uphold justice.

Short Version: I Wish to Make the Following Recommendations 
(Edit this into your own words and submit it in the section “I wish to make the following recommendations”)

I support a return to the principle that licensed firearm owners remain innocent until proven guilty. Remove any provisions for pre-emptive restrictions or penalties based on unproven claims. Treat licensed owners as responsible citizens unless culpability is established beyond reasonable doubt in court. Place the burden of proving non-compliance solely on prosecuting authorities. This approach eliminates presumptions against owners and requires substantiated evidence, protecting individual rights in proceedings. 

Rewrite the General Policy Statement to state: "The New Zealand firearms regulatory system grants individuals considered 'fit and proper' the right to possess arms items, subject to safeguards." This wording recognises all qualifying New Zealanders' entitlement to own firearms once licensed. It acknowledges firearms' historical cultural role and normalises legal ownership.

 

I oppose limits on the number of firearms or ammunition licensed holders may own. Such restrictions fail to enhance public safety. Vetted individuals pose equal risk with multiple items as with one. Criminals ignore laws and acquire firearms illegally so further restrictions on the law-abiding make no discernible impact on public safety. The registry holds licensed owners accountable for each registered item.

Assess all proposed changes increasing burdens on the regulator or licensed community by asking: Does this meaningfully improve public safety? Provide evidence to support any affirmative answer and reject unclear changes until objective evidence emerges. 

I support standardising magazine capacity at 10 rounds for A-category firearms. This balances safety with utility for hunting, sport, and animal control.

 

I support reintroducing autoloading hunting rifles without large-capacity detachable magazines. These equip licensed hunters to aid conservation against invasive species like goats, pigs, and deer. Bolt-action rifles allow engagement of one or two animals in a group, but autoloading models double this, benefiting the environment. These rifles suit hunting with slower reloads, unlike military-style semi-automatics.

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