Non-Firearm Owners: Influence New Zealand's Firearms Laws Through the Arms Bill Consultation
- COLFO PR
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
You hold a stake in New Zealand's public safety, even without a firearms licence. The Arms Bill addresses critical issues in firearms regulation. It aims to enhance safety while ensuring fairness for all citizens. As a non-firearm owner, your input can shape laws that balance crime prevention with individual rights.
Why Your Voice Matters
Firearms laws impact everyone. They influence how police allocate resources, target criminals, and protect communities. The current Arms Act, amended hastily after the 2019 Christchurch attacks, has not reduced gun crime. It has created injustices for license holders due to unclear provisions. The Bill seeks to fix these defects through a deliberate approach.
You can support measures that focus on real risks. For example, the Bill disqualifies gang members from licences and increases penalties for unlicensed possession. These steps target those who pose threats, rather than burdening law-abiding people.
Non-firearm owners represent over 90 percent of New Zealanders. Your submissions add weight to calls for evidence-based laws. They ensure the system upholds principles like innocence until proven guilty and limits on government power.
Key Points from the Guide
The guide provides a template for your submission. It structures your response into comments and recommendations. Customise it with your views to make it unique. Submissions close at 11.59 pm on 16 February 2026.
Here are the main highlights:
General Support for the Bill: You endorse separating firearms administration from police. A civilian regulator allows police to focus on gangs and organised crime. This uses resources efficiently.
Targeting Criminals: You back disqualifying gang members and harsher penalties for unlicensed possession. These measures address actual risks without affecting compliant citizens.
Clarifying Processes: You appreciate clearer rules that build public confidence and reduce conflicts.
Recommendations for Improvement:
Uphold innocence until proven guilty. Base decisions on evidence, not assumptions.
Remove vague discretion in laws. Avoid terms like "any other matters" to ensure predictability.
Focus on reducing criminal use of firearms instead of over-policing law abiding citizens.
Strengthen protections against unwarranted searches. Limit warrantless powers to justified cases.
Ensure proportionate penalties. Prioritise education for minor errors; impose severe sentences for violent firearm crimes.
Download the free guide for non-firearms owners here:
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