1 March 2006
Tougher Sentencing On Firearms - Mark
New Zealand First law and order spokesman Ron Mark today called for tougher sentencing in cases involving on firearms
charges, following the conviction of a man who discharged a gun in a public. The offender admitted to being in
possession of a stolen submachine gun, from which he fired 57 rounds while drunk.
“The fact that he was in receipt of a stolen submachine gun is bad enough. That alone warrants a serious sentence. That
he fired it so recklessly in public is downright dangerous and I am appalled that he received only a token four months
on a total of seven firearms charges,’ said Mr Mark.
“Instead of calling for stricter licensing laws that will impact on legitimate firearms owners who respect the law and
use firearms in a responsible manner, we should be cracking down on those who flaunt existing laws and handing out
longer sentences.
“There is a strongly held view among legitimate firearms owners that people who illegally obtain firearms who are not
themselves police-approved holders of a firearms licence, and who then go on to commission a crime with that firearm,
should receive a minimum term of five years.
“If needs be, perhaps we should to look at the possibility of removing judges’ discretion and imposing mandatory
sentences,” concluded Mr Mark.
ENDS