Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill now open for submissions

The Finance and Expenditure Committee is calling for public submissions on the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill.

In response to the Christchurch mosques terrorist attack on 15 March 2019, the Government announced that it would make changes to New Zealand’s gun laws. The Prime Minister invited the public to comment on the changes. The Government has now introduced the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill. The bill seeks to extend the existing restrictions on military-style semi-automatic firearms (MSSAa) to ban most semi-automatic firearms and some shotguns, as well as magazines and parts that can be used to assemble semi-automatic firearms.

Some small-calibre rimfire semi-automatic firearms and lesser-capacity shotguns are excluded from the ban. The permitted firearms are ones commonly used in the farming, hunting, and recreational communities, and have a limited magazine capacity.

The Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill would:
• prevent the general population of New Zealand from importing, selling, supplying, or possessing most semi-automatic firearms (other than pistols)
• ban pump action shotguns with more than a five shot capacity
• ban semi-automatic shotguns with a capacity to hold a detachable magazine, or with an internal magazine capable of holding more than five cartridges
• exempt some semi-automatic firearms with limited ammunition capacity
• provide exemptions for licensed dealers, authorised pest controllers, firearms collectors, museum curators, firearms used during dramatic productions, and police and defence force personnel
• allow an amnesty for prohibited firearms, magazines, and parts that are surrendered to licensed dealers or the Police by 30 September 2019
• introduce tougher penalties and some new offences.

Comments from the public
Comments already received from the public have been referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee to consider. They will help the committee to understand the range of opinions New Zealanders have on the changes as they examine the bill. Comments are not formal submissions and will not be published on the Parliament website.

The Finance and Expenditure Committee is no longer receiving comments on the changes to New Zealand’s gun laws. However, if you wish to express your view on the changes, you can do so by making a formal submission on the bill by Thursday 4 April 2019 at 6:00pm.

Submit on the bill
Make your submission on the bill by 6.00pm on Thursday 4 April 2019.

Due to the timeframe, only written submissions on the bill will be accepted. The Prime Minister has indicated that further legislation will be introduced at a later date. This will provide another opportunity for you to have your input.

Questions and Answers

1. I made a comment on the gun law changes. What will be done with it?

Comments from the public have been referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee to consider as they examine the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill.
2. I made a comment on the gun law changes, do I need to make a submission?

No, all comments made by the public have been given to the Finance and Expenditure Committee to consider. If you want to submit on the specifics of the bill you can do so by making a formal submission.

3. What is the difference between a comment and a submission?

Both comments and submissions will be considered by the Finance and Expenditure Committee. Comments were made before the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill was introduced to Parliament and are now closed. The Finance and Expenditure Committee is now calling for public submissions on the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill, which was introduced to Parliament on Monday 1 April 2019. Comments will not be published on the Parliament website.

4. How do I make a submission?

You can make a submission via the online submission form on the Parliament website by Thursday 4 April 2019 at 6:00pm.

For more details about the bill:
• Read the full content of the bill
• Get more details about the bill
• What’s been said in Parliament about the bill?
• Follow the committee’s Facebook page for updates
ENDS

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