Police Issued Gun Licenses To 639 Convicted Criminals:

Soon after the Shooting murders of 51 people at the Christchurch mosques - Police and politicians passed hurried law changes that criminalized many of the 250,000 lawful NZ gun owners here ... stating that their purpose was to prevent any repeat shooting like that committed by the Australian killer - who had been issued a firearms licence by New Zealand police.

Police had denied accusations that their licensing process had been loosely conducted and careless.

Al Noor Mosque.

Figures from police records obtained by Radio NZ under the Official Information Act showed at least 639 people with criminal convictions in Australia were granted firearms licences here in New Zealand in the last decade.

To date - of those, - 37 went on to commit firearms crimes in NZ, - including two homicides (5.8%).

 In a statement, acting superintendent Mike McIlraith - the officer in charge of the Arms Act service delivery group - said convictions would have been taken into account by the vettor and arms officer as part of the vetting process.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/394020/nz-firearms-licences-granted-to-639-people-with-criminal-convictions-in-australia

Marty K.