Franks calls for amendment to Arms Bill
Thursday 3 Mar 2005
Stephen Franks - Press Releases - Crime & Justice
ACT Justice spokesman Stephen Franks today called on Police Minister George Hawkins to add an amendment to his Arms
Amendment Bill, which is shortly to have its first debate in Parliament.
"The amendment should clarify the muddled law that has seen the jury in the case of Northland farmer Paul McIntyre
unable to reach a verdict," Mr Franks said.
"My Crimes (Self-Defence) Amendment Bill would clarify the troublesome sections in the Arms Act, but Mr Hawkins now has
a effective illustration of why the law needs to change.
"Even if he wants to make it easier to prosecute farmers who need to defend their property, he should be clarifying the
law. The Crown wastes money, as well as impoverishes the farmer, when trials misfire.
"A law change is too late for Paul McIntyre but it should be able to stop this nonsense in the future.
"ACT would gladly support a change to reinstate traditional rights to defend property and future Paul McIntyres," Mr
Franks said.
ENDS