Breadcrumbs

Tightening New Zealand gun laws

29 September 2016

University of Waikato Law Professor Al Gillespie questions whether New Zealand's doing enough.

University of Waikato Law Professor Al Gillespie questions whether New Zealand's doing enough.

University of Waikato Law Professor Al Gillespie has been advising MPs on the need for stricter gun laws in New Zealand.

With the rise in religious terrorist and lone-wolf attacks overseas, Professor Gillespie questions whether we’re doing enough to stop similar attacks from happening in New Zealand.

Professor Gillespie spoke at a select committee hearing and urged MPs to launch a firearms register, particularly for higher-powered weapons, to help better detect illegal use of firearms.

“Despite firearms being recorded when they enter the country, no records exist for the majority of these guns when they’re sold to the consumer,” says Professor Gillespie.

“Our inability to track and trace firearms means we can’t meet United Nations protocols that are designed to combat organised crime and illegal trade of firearms. We need to address this issue before there’s a mass shooting.”

To get a gun licence in New Zealand, individuals have to undergo a free safety course to ensure they understand how to use and store a gun properly.

“There are on average 230,000 people with gun licences in New Zealand. The vast majority of licensed owners are lawful and responsible but we need to ensure we have the best standards in place to prevent criminals from getting hold of these weapons.”

Professor Gillespie supports the need to tighten rules around storage requirements. He also recommends implementing a buy-back scheme to help reduce the number of people holding on to unlicensed firearms.

“We can’t completely stop criminals but we can put protocols in place to reduce the risk,” says Professor Gillespie.