The Society welcomes the second phase of planned gun control reforms in response to the 15 March Christchurch terrorism.
The Government announcement that a Bill will be introduced to set up a national gun register is another move in the right direction.
Under the new system gun owners will be required to sign up to the register when they get a licence, get one renewed, or when they buy or sell firearms.
The register will be similar to the one for motor vehicles and will hold the licence holder's full name, date of birth and address, details of their licence number and any endorsements, as well as details about the firearm including its serial number and how it's stored.
The legislation will also require licences to be renewed every five years - at the moment it's ten.
The application process for obtaining a licence will be strengthened and will include showing knowledge about the safe use of firearms and legal obligations, behaving in a way that "ensures personal and public safety". A licence will also be required to buy magazines, parts and ammunition.
Anyone convicted of crimes in the previous decade such as violence, gang activity, misuse of drugs, firearms offences or with a Protection Order made against them will be disqualified from holding a licence.
A new 'warning flag' system will be introduced allowing police to intervene and seek further information about an applicant or existing licence holder in certain circumstances including encouraging or promoting violence, hatred or extremism, serious mental ill-health or attempted suicide, showing disregard for others' property or land, posing a risk to national security, being subject to a Protection Order, being involved in drug abuse or committing crimes involving violence or alcohol.
The Society welcomes the second phase of planned gun control reforms in response to the 15 March Christchurch terrorism.
The Government announcement that a Bill will be introduced to set up a national gun register is another move in the right direction.
Under the new system gun owners will be required to sign up to the register when they get a licence, get one renewed, or when they buy or sell firearms.
The register will be similar to the one for motor vehicles and will hold the licence holder's full name, date of birth and address, details of their licence number and any endorsements, as well as details about the firearm including its serial number and how it's stored.
The legislation will also require licences to be renewed every five years - at the moment it's ten.
The application process for obtaining a licence will be strengthened and will include showing knowledge about the safe use of firearms and legal obligations, behaving in a way that "ensures personal and public safety". A licence will also be required to buy magazines, parts and ammunition.
Anyone convicted of crimes in the previous decade such as violence, gang activity, misuse of drugs, firearms offences or with a Protection Order made against them will be disqualified from holding a licence.
A new 'warning flag' system will be introduced allowing police to intervene and seek further information about an applicant or existing licence holder in certain circumstances including encouraging or promoting violence, hatred or extremism, serious mental ill-health or attempted suicide, showing disregard for others' property or land, posing a risk to national security, being subject to a Protection Order, being involved in drug abuse or committing crimes involving violence or alcohol.