New 'Firearms Unit' .. Open Letter To The Responsible Minister:

 Dear Police Minister Hipkins,

On 12 November 2021 the previous Police Minister announced "the establishment of the new dedicated regulatory Firearms Unit to manage changes to the new arms regulatory system aimed at improving public safety by stopping firearms falling into the wrong hands, and reducing the risk of anyone becoming victims of firearms crime.” - "This dedicated unit will allow arms staff to focus on this work within a unit separate from, but still aligned to, Police.”

I understand Minister - that in order to take possession of and to handle any firearm - these firearms registrars and inspection / examination arms staff - being separate from the exempted sworn police will be required by the Amended Firearms Act of 1983 to possess a current Firearms Licence with appropriate ENDORSEMENTS.

For instance you no doubt will be aware that the 'B CATEGORY' Endorsement to possess or handle any pistol requires full membership of an approved PISTOL NEW ZEALAND Club and range attendence a minimum of 12 times every year following the initial more strictly controlled probationary period.

As Minister, you will know that anyone such as yourself with a record of having been arrested and charged with any violent offence will not qualify under the current regulations as 'FIT & PROPER' to obtain a Firearms Licence within New Zealand.

I am not aware to date of any such membership applications by recruits for this dedicated Firearms Unit - indeed I understand that the complex Application and lengthy interview process currently applied to obtaining or renewing Firearms Licences here will certainly prevent many staff members of this Unit becoming lawfully operational by the planned commencement date of this December - next month.

One further small point of law directly concerns the meaningful function of this new unit and the safety of the NZ Public - regarding the SERIAL NUMBERING and registration of High Capacity Magazines for MSSA Rifles such as those possessed by Endorsed Licenced Collectors and the New Zealand Police Service.

Will you please Minister reply and comment specifically regarding these considerations.

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This numbering & Registration of dangerous high capacity MSSA magazines - together with separate approved Secure Storage is required under the operation of the amended 1983 Act as an essential part of enhancing Public Safety in the event of  them falling into the wrong hands by LOSS or THEFT - I request information as to what progress your Department has made towards the proper numbering and REGISTRATION of the many thousands of magazines issued to police that may be found in their patrol vehicles and the premises occupied by serving officers? 

- Please release & publish the detail of series letter numbering registration sequences and locations allocated to permit the identification of these dangerous Public Safety items when found ..

My third & brief question is .. How much taxation revenue is allocated to the formation of this Separate Firearms Unit responsible for the controling and REGISTRATION of lawfully owned firearms and what is the amount Budgeted annualy for it's ongoing function maintaining the safety of the New Zealand population from firearms crime?

Thank you Minister for your urgent attention to my questions,

Marty K.