Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has revealed a shake-up of New Zealand’s gun laws, repealing and replacing the current Arms Act 1983.
She said the revisions to New Zealand’s gun laws are intended to be more equitable and purpose-driven and to enhance the safety of the people of New Zealand.
A specialist firearms regulatory agency will be created to manage all regulatory responsibilities, such as licensing firearm users and registering firearms. These duties will no longer be handled by the police.
The current Firearms Safety Authority operates as a division within the police force and is accountable to the commissioner of police.
The newly established regulatory agency will be led by an independent chief executive appointed by the Governor-General. It will report directly to the minister responsible for firearms, while the Ministry of Justice will oversee and monitor its activities.
McKee stated that the introduction of the new regulator aims to “rebuild the trust” of responsible, lawful gun owners. She emphasised that the reform will “guarantee that the regulator operates with openness and transparency.”
The minister stated that the revised law would establish a “clearer separation of information held by the firearms regulator and information held by the police.”
“To that end, sworn officers will not be able to serve as either the chief executive or be directly employed by the regulator,” she said.
“However, police officers will still have access to the essential information they need to enforce the law. They will still be able to check whether a person they’re dealing with holds a firearms licence or if firearms are stored at a specific address.”
The change would also substitute the existing internal review process with a newly established Firearms Licensing Review Committee.
Along with the new authority, McKee also declared gang membership an automatic disqualifying factor for holding a firearms licence.
Announcements were also made regarding changes to how gun owners are permitted to store their firearms. According to the new law, firearms may be stored at any premises approved by the regulator.
“This will mean that people in university halls, renters, or those living with someone with a mental health concern can more safely and securely store their firearms at another more suitable location,” McKee said.