COLFO spokesperson Hugh Devereux-Mack says the new Government’s firearm policies, such removing onerous regulations for firearms clubs and ranges, has started to repair the “shattered relationship” between the State and licensed firearm owners.

“It’s heartening to see old wounds starting to heal in the firearms community, albeit slowly.

“The Labour Government received some praise for their swift firearms law changes following the Christchurch attack, but they significantly damaged the relationship with Kiwi firearms owners.”

In 2019, the Labour Government banned all semi-automatics and initiated a firearms buyback scheme, even though it was a Police vetting mistake that made the Christchurch Mosque attack possible. Devereux-Mack says the firearms community has held grievances ever since.

“Our annual surveys reported a dramatic and continued decline in trust following the sudden law changes in 2019,” says Devereux-Mack.

“The Government and Police excised their guilt by punishing the common firearms owner and refused to acknowledge the validity of the protest.”

COLFO’s Trust and Confidence survey asks over 1,500 licensed firearm owners about their experience dealing with Police. Respondents answer questions on a scale of 1-10, one being little to no confidence, and 10 being very confident.

In 2019, “trust in Police to administer the Arms Act without bias” scored an average 2.4 out of 10. That fell to 2.1 in 2021 and 2022 and again to 1.6 in 2023.

But the 2024 survey indicates a turnaround, with firearms owners scoring Police a 1.9 out of 10, indicating they think Police are now operating with slightly less personal bias.

This turnaround is shown across the board:

The one exception is “trust in Police to keep firearms registry data secure”, which scored a measly 1.3 out of 10.

“While the trend is positive, firearm owners are clearly concerned about the security of their data in the hands of Police. That’s not a huge surprise, because privacy breaches by Police almost doubled in number after the registry was introduced,” says Devereux-Mack.

Police’s annual review in 2024 showed 492 breaches in the 12 months to July 2024, up from 281 the year before and just over 90 five years ago. Many of those involved the new firearms registry.

Major Police breaches of firearms owner data include:

• July 2023: An email sent by the Firearms Safety Authority exposed the email addresses of 147 license holders due to human error.
• June 2022: Hundreds of firearms owners' details exposed after documents stolen from old Auckland police station
• May 2021: Police admitted privacy breach after ‘bcc’ email bungle meant nearly 40 firearm licence applicants were copied into the same email
• December 2019: Police confirmed the full details of 34 individuals were compromised in the gun buyback scheme, with about another 500 having their names and addresses accessed.

Devereux-Mack says an improved relationship between firearms owners and the State will lead to better public safety outcomes, but there is still much to do.

“It’s important to recognise that despite this uptick, trust and confidence in Police is still very low. There’s a lot of grievance to make up for.

“These past six years have made the firearms owning community reluctant to engage with police for fear of repercussion.”

The survey shows staff at the Firearms Safety Authority, who help with the registry, are rated by firearms owners as the most competent and helpful.

Devereux-Mack says it is the responsibility of Police representatives to support the relationship-mending its staff are doing on the ground.

“We still get emails every week from members frustrated by the Police Union’s unsupported claims blaming licensed firearm owners for the rise in gun crime.

“They have positive interactions with local FSA staff, and then that just spoils all their hard work.”

Devereux-Mack says the survey shows relations can return to what they once were.

“When firearms owners and Police got along, everybody benefited. If people trust they will be treated fairly, they are more likely to report bad behaviour and engage constructively with Police.

“We’re glad the Government has started to repair that relationship, and we’re very happy to report a beneficial outcome for once. Long may it continue.”

© Scoop Media