How We Control Gun Rights:

A New Zealand firearms license .. a "F.Lic" is a valued 'document' here that takes the shape of a plastic photo-identity card renewable every 10 years.

 - There are more than 240,000 kiwis who can proudly show that they have proved to the licensing authorities that they are of good character - are "FIT AND PROPER" - have a clean criminal record - are mentally stable - have the confidence of both close family members and friends - and are not associated with gangs or gang members. NZ Shooters are both trained & certified.

'Kiwi' gun owners also have to install costly police approved secure storage - The whole system would need a book called 'The Arms Code' to detail .. if the latest issue hadn't been withdrawn.

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THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS?

.. Article 7 of our British AND New Zealand Bill Of Rights clearly states:

Bill of Rights 1688 (February 13).

" Subjects’ arms. That the subjects which are Protestants may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions, and as allowed by law:"

- By the passing of the (NZ) Imperial Laws Application Act 1988 - the British Bill of Rights, unmodified, became part of New Zealand law.

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The New Zealand licensing process is generally a good, sound, working system that keeps gun accidents & crime to a very low & unsensational level in a nation with much wilderness country and where hunting and control of pest animals is necessary. - BUT, - reading the latest 'CONSULTATION DOCUMENT' ** it is about to be seriously disrupted - Downsized & and Under-resourced.

There are of course some stupid regulations that run contrary to logic. e.g. If a shooter is proven to be safe to use a semi-auto rifle - what difference does it make if that equipment is fitted with a "free standing pistol grip, a higher capacity magazine, a telescoping butt-stock, or a bayonet lug - or even if it "looks like it does"? - The Police's own issue long-arms have such MSSA* features.

.. If an enthusiast joins a target pistol shooting club and gains a special endorsement for handguns - what logic dictates a minimum barrel length when pistols and revolvers are made in a variety of lengths and caliber? .. Surely either you are Fit & Proper - or you are not?

Ruger 327 Federal Magnum - Is 3 Inches Enough?

- If an enthusiast lawfully qualifies for both rifle use and handgun use - what logic stops this approved safe shooter from using a handgun for hunting?

The explanation can only be that these are rules for the sake of having rules - "Because I say so".

* MSSA = Military Style Semi-Auto.

Ref:     https://flicense.blogspot.com/2017/04/changes-to-nz-police-arms-code-local.html

Marty K.
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https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/nationalparty/pages/11737/attachments/original/1548895200/Arms_Act_Service_Delivery_%28Firearms%29_Consultation_290119%28FINAL%29.pdf?1548895200

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