COLFO Welcomes New Police Association President and Supports Improved Firearms Training

Press Release | 16 October 2025

The Council of Licensed Firearms Owners (COLFO) today welcomed Steve Watt to his new role as president of the New Zealand Police Association and endorsed his assessment that current firearms laws have not stopped the proliferation of firearms in criminal hands.

In a video interview with the New Zealand Herald, Mr Watt supported equipping frontline police with firearms as standard issue.

COLFO spokesperson Hugh Devereux-Mack said the long-standing position of the Police Association was now paired with a new acknowledgement that laws previously promoted by the Association had not reduced the risk posed by illegal firearms to Police and public.

"Steve Watt's appointment brings fresh leadership to the Police Association, and we extend our congratulations to him on this important role," said Mr Devereux-Mack.

"We accept his candid implication that the current firearms laws and the misplaced focus on law-abiding licensed owners have not only failed but have contributed to the proliferation of illegal firearms among criminals.

“COLFO looks forward to the Police Association adopting a practical and reasonable approach to legal firearms in the future, with an emphasis on capturing criminals rather than harassing responsible, licensed, and law-abiding firearm owners."

Mr Devereux-Mack emphasised the need for improved Police firearms training, especially if all Police are armed. Police currently receive less annual range time than qualified civilian licence holders, who must complete a minimum of 12 club events of supervised practice or competition each year, typically involving pistol shooting at static paper targets in controlled settings.

"Police officers face far greater complexities in real-world scenarios yet get less than this mandated time," Mr Devereux-Mack stated. "Any move towards general arming demands rigorous, ongoing training to allow officers to carry and use firearms effectively as part of their uniform."

To bridge these gaps, COLFO hopes Mr Watt will support the idea of a police-community collaborative initiative: indoor 50-metre centrefire shooting ranges in every major city for regular police training to raise standards and encourage interactions between officers and licensed owners.

"This could reshape community-police relations, damaged under the previous Police Union leadership," Mr Devereux-Mack added. "Shared practice in a secure environment would foster trust and cooperation, and improve training for all legal firearm owners, enhancing safety for all New Zealanders."

//ENDS