The speedy response by the Government and Parliament to enact a ban on most semi-automatic weapons and to establish a buy-back scheme, following the Christchurch mosque shootings, was widely welcomed by health groups including the Society.

The Society fully supported the law changes, the intent behind the changes, and the speed at which the changes were made.

Gun control is a significant, public health issue. Gun ownership is a privilege and not a right. Public safety is however a right and should be paramount. Our position is that the gun lobby should be ignored.

The April changes were a first step and a second round of changes are anticipated this year. 

The Society believes that the registration of all firearms should be at the top of the list for the second tranche of gun law reforms.

 A new lobby group Gun Control NZ has recently been established. It is campaigning for:

• A mandatory gun registrar with a record of all ammunition sales
• Strengthening the ban on semi-automatic weapons
• Shortening the registration period for licensed firearm owners to three years

Gun Control NZ is an independent, single-issue, lobby group. The Society is a supporter of the group.