Armed police confronted a man seen carrying a gun case in the Christchurch suburb of Ilam on Saturday. The man was in the process of selling the firearm and was not committing any crimes.
The footage shows the man's hands are raised, while police walk towards him with firearms pointed in his direction.
In a statement, police said the man was innocent.
A 'concerned' member of the public had phoned them after seeing the man walking down the street carrying the gun case
.
He was in the process of selling his firearm, a police spokeswoman confirmed.
Private sales of firearms are legal, but the buyer must have a New Zealand Firearms Licence.
Although it was not illegal, police wanted to encourage people "not to carry firearms in public like that", the spokeswoman said.
SHOULD THE POLICE NOT INFORM ANY "CONCERNED" MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC THAT IT IS LEGAL FOR A CASED FIREARM TO BE CARRIED ON ANY STREET BY A LAW ABIDING FIT AND PROPER PERSON - WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING THREATENED WITH BEING SHOT BY POLICE?
"If possible we do encourage people to carry them in a case in the boot of a car."
Police gave the man a lift to his destination. No charges were laid.
Police thanked members of the Ilam community "for being vigilant".
Note: I AM REQUIRED BY POLICE REGULATION TO CARRY ANY NEWLY PURCHASED & PERMITTED HANDGUN TO THE CHRISTCHURCH FIREARMS OFFICE FOR REGISTRATION PURPOSES. - AM I AT RISK OF BEING MADE LAY ON THE PAVEMENT OR OF BEING SHOT BY POLICE WHEN I NEXT SEEK TO FOLLOW THEIR PERMIT INSTRUCTIONS?
Marty K.
P.S. The Sporting Shooters Association NZ have expressed their concerns about this incident to The Commissioner of Police.
** I have just learned that the gun case being carried contained an AIR RIFLE.
** I have just learned that the gun case being carried contained an AIR RIFLE.
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