New Zealand Embarks on Major Firearms Law Overhaul

McKee emphasized the need for a thorough review of the entire system to ensure it meets the needs of contemporary New Zealand while enhancing public safety.

New Zealand’s Associate Justice Minister, Nicole McKee, has unveiled an ambitious plan to overhaul the nation’s firearms regulations. The initiative aims to address the complexities and inefficiencies of the current Arms Act, which has been in place for over four decades and has undergone numerous, often hasty amendments.

McKee emphasized the need for a thorough review of the entire system to ensure it meets the needs of contemporary New Zealand while enhancing public safety. The reform will unfold in four phases, with the final phase involving a comprehensive rewrite of the Act to align with modern regulatory standards and public safety requirements.

The reform’s first two phases are already in motion, with the introduction of the Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill and consultations on the regulation of shooting clubs. The third phase includes a review of the Firearms Registry and the transition of the Firearms Safety Authority from the Police to another government department.

McKee expressed enthusiasm for the fourth phase, which presents an opportunity for systematic reform and extensive public consultation, diverging from previous rushed legislative processes. The minister’s goal is to pass the necessary legal changes before the current term ends.

The reform program reflects a commitment to community safety, reducing the regulatory burden on licensed firearm owners, and improving legal compliance. McKee looks forward to advancing the reforms and engaging with the public on these critical issues, aiming to achieve straightforward and effective regulations that bolster the safety and well-being of New Zealand’s communities.