FSE Chief Executive Responds to COLFO: A Promising Start
By Hugh Devereux-Mack, COLFO
Earlier this month COLFO wrote to Dr Kelvin Watson, Chief Executive of Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (FSE), after SSANZ first published an excerpt of a document from the then Firearms Safety Authority. That document proposed capping licensed owners at five non-prohibited firearms and running another buy-back. The proposal was made in a confidential submission, later released under the Official Information Act, and does not appear in the Arms Act 2026.
Dr Watson has now replied, by letter dated 22 October 2026 and a follow-up email on 27 October 2026. We thank him for a prompt and courteous response.
Three things stand out.
First, transparency. Dr Watson wrote: "In line with our aim to be as transparent as possible, I am happy with you publishing my letter (and this email) if you wish to." That is a welcome change of approach.
Second, engagement. Dr Watson has offered to join licence holders for a town hall type session "at the appropriate time". We welcome that offer and would be glad to help organise it.
Third, evidence. Dr Watson says decisions will be "anchored in the purpose of the Arms Act and evidence of risk". That is exactly the standard licensed firearm owners have asked for. Policy built on evidence of risk, not on arbitrary limits, is good for public safety and fair to the people who follow the law.
Staff came across to FSE from the Police-run regulator, and a new name on the door does not by itself change a culture. After this exchange we are optimistic about Dr Watson's leadership, and we hope to see a significant change in attitude towards licensed firearm owners as he sets the tone from here.
That said, today we received a concerning report of a young licence holder whose licence has been suspended in circumstances that appear unjustified. It suggests old attitudes may still be present within the regulator. We will stay watchful for cases like this, and we will publish the incident report once it is back from our lawyers.
Dr Watson's full letter and the complete email exchange are available to COLFO members. Join today to read them and support the work that gets these answers: www.colfo.org/join
Members only: the full correspondence follows below.
