Trade Me halts sale of semi-automatic weapons

18 March 2019

Trade Me is halting the sale of semi-automatic weapons while it waits for more clarity from the Government.

The company has listened to public sentiment following Friday’s terrorist attack in Christchurch and decided to remove all semi-automatic firearms sales and parts associated with those weapons today.

Trade Me CEO Jon Macdonald said: “We’re obviously still reeling, like all New Zealanders,and our hearts go out to the victims and their families and friends.
“We’ve had a lot of contact from Kiwis over the weekend about this issue, and many felt that we should stop the sale of these items in the wake of this attack.

We’ve listened to these sentiments and we’ve put this ban in place while we await clear direction from the Government.”

Trade Me already heavily restricted the types of firearms that can be listed to 'A' category firearms in sporting configuration, as commonly used by hunters, recreational shooters or in rural communities as tools on farms. It does not allow the sale of military style semi-automatic weapons, parts which could change an 'A' category firearm into a military style semi-automatic weapons, pistols, or restricted weapons.

Mr Macdonald said Trade Me had taken a responsible position with a view that trading between licensed owners via Trade Me in a safe, trusted, transparent and traceable environment was better for New Zealand than many of the alternatives.

“But it is clear public sentiment has changed in relation to semi-automatic weapons and we acknowledge that, which is why we’re putting this ban in place.

“There is a bit of work involved in doing this but we will have these listings removed later today.”

ENDS

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