Council of Licensed Firearms Owners Response to Henderson Firearms Seizure

Press Release 10 October 2025

The Council of Licensed Firearms Owners (COLFO) acknowledges the swift and effective action taken by the Waitemata Police and the Armed Offenders Squad in executing a search warrant at a Henderson property on Kingsdale Road, resulting in the seizure of 3D printed or improvised firearms, ammunition, and the arrest of a 20-year-old individual.

We commend the officers for their professionalism and quick response in addressing this serious threat to public safety.

However, this incident underscores a critical issue: the firearms register, as currently implemented, is inherently incapable of capturing illegal 3D printed or improvised firearms. These untraceable weapons, often produced by individuals operating outside the law, highlight the limitations of a system focused on monitoring law-abiding, licensed firearms owners.

Recent police seizures illustrate the rising risk posed by such ghost guns, with authorities having recovered 58 3D printed firearms and between 200 and 300 associated parts by the end of 2024, marking a steady increase since the first detection in 2018.

Similar operations, such as a raid in Manawatu that uncovered two 3D printed firearm components and production tools, have prompted police to describe this as an "emerging risk" that challenges existing controls.

COLFO Spokesperson Hugh Devereux-Mack commented, "The register diverts valuable police resources away from targeting real criminals, those manufacturing and distributing illegal firearms, towards administrative oversight of compliant gun owners who already adhere to strict regulations."

"COLFO believes that police efforts should prioritise proactive investigations, like the one conducted in Henderson, to disrupt organised criminal networks and prevent illegal firearms from reaching our communities. Over-policing licensed owners does little to address the root causes of firearms-related crime, as evidenced by this seizure of illicitly produced weapons."

We urge policymakers to reconsider the allocation of resources and focus on intelligence-led operations that target the true sources of illegal arms, ensuring our police can continue their outstanding work in keeping New Zealand safe.

ENDS