NZ JUSTICE MINISTER SHOOTING ILLEGALLY:

National Shooters Association president Richard Lincoln has complained to police that Minister Judith Collins was filmed shooting restricted handguns illegally, unsupervised - at Aucklands Environmental Science and Research Centre last month (April). The Police are reported as saying that they won't investigate the matter - so Mr Lincoln is taking it to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

 Lincoln - due in Parliament today for a select committee on a separate matter is expected to face questions over Ms Collins

The images screened on TV show Ms Collins - believed to not be licensed or endorsed for restricted weapons - shooting while unsupervised in breach of Police Regulations.

Judging by her stance - it seems likely that Minister Collins has received some instruction on use of handguns.

This episode follows closely on disclosure of the theft of two police Glock pistols from New Plymouths Courthouse where they were held as evidence. The Ministry of Justice yesterday conceded that it had no idea exactly when the two handguns went missing.

The two missing police semi-autos were involved in the shooting of Stephen Wallace fourteen years ago and were not known to be missing until one was found in the possession of a man arrested on methamphetamine charges last year !

Labour spokesman for Justice Andrew Little said that the incident raises serious concerns about the security systems in place at the courthouse.

Marty K