Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350228576/man-charged-owning-unregistered-firearm-fist-time-ever
March 27, 2024, • 05:38pm
A man has been charged for owning a firearm that had not been registered in the new Firearms Registry.
The charge is the first of its kind, following the launch of Te Tari Pūreke/Firearms Safety Authority in June 2023.
By law, licenced firearm owners are required to enter their firearms into the registry within 30 days of purchase.
Police allege a 49-year-old Auckland man failed to do so, following the discovery of a shotgun at his property during a search warrant as part of a probe into illegal firearm possession.
The man had previously bought a rifle, which he registered into the Firearms Registry a few days after purchasing it.
The man is now facing six charges of unlawful possession of ammunition, for which he allegedly bought on behalf of cannabis trade associates who could not legally purchase guns themselves.
Te Tari Pūreke/Firearms Safety Authority executive director Angela Brazier said “this is the first prosecution of its kind”.
“It demonstrates the positive impact the registry can make on linking firearms to individual licence holders.”
“If any licence holder is found with a firearm that ought to be in the registry, but for whatever reason they might have tried to circumvent these obligations and keep firearms invisible in the community, they can expect to face the consequences.”
If convicted, the man could be fined $10,000.
He will appear in the Manukau District Court on Thursday.