Following the initial announcements from the government regarding the law changes, the New Zealand Police published information regarding the initial and proposed changes and produced an online form related to handing firearms in to the Police. New frequently asked questions, published on April 11, 2019, state that
[t]he amnesty from prosecution for possession of prohibited firearms, parts, and magazines will run for six months from the time the buyback scheme is put in place by regulation.
Police encourages any person now in possession of a prohibited item to safely secure it and notify Police by completing the online form or calling 0800 311 311. This will enable Police to contact you in the future about the process for handing in your firearm/s and about the buyback for prohibited items.
Please do not hand your firearm/s into Police at this stage. (Firearms Changes FAQs, NEW ZEALAND POLICE (last updated Apr. 11, 2019).)
According to the Police, “[t]here have already been more than 1000 people who have notified us of their intention to hand over their firearms to Police.” (Id.) The site also indicates that there will be an appeals process as part of the buyback compensation scheme. (Id.)
Future Reforms
The government’s press release also indicated that further changes to the Arms Act, to be introduced later in 2019, would include
- A register of firearms
- Licensing of firearms owners and the Police vetting process for a ‘fit and proper person’
- The Police inspection and monitoring regime, such as rules around storage of firearms (Press Release, Stuart Nash, supra.)
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