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6,500 make joint submission for gun law reform to go further
04 April 2019
In less than 24 hours more than 6,500 people have
added their support to a joint submission on the Arms
(Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill
calling for gun law reform to go further.
The
submission was organised by community campaign group
ActionStation. The recommendations are based on research
from the Department of Public Health, University of Otago,
Wellington.
The submission supports the government's
proposed law changes and calls for further changes to ensure
public safety, including:
A ban on all private ownership of semi-automatic firearms and related parts that can be used to convert firearms into semi-automatics and large (>7) magazines;
An amnesty or buy-back with compensation to owners of banned firearms;
A register of all firearms;
Three-year licensing of firearms owners (currently 10 years);
A ban on firearms retailers’ and dealers’ advertising, promotions and sponsorships;
A cross party commitment to these basic gun control measures; and
Full consultation with citizens; not privileging the firearms community and police.
“Cars are registered,
guns should be too.” Steve, Christchurch
“I want
my children and grandchildren to live in a safe and caring
society where they can flourish. Guns are a symbol of
aggression, fear, domination, and death. These are not the
things we want to shore up our society.” Miriam,
Wellington
“Recreational or farming use of guns does
not overshadow the need to strong gun reform. We need to do
all we can to ensure a massacre like Christchurch can never
happen again in this country.” Kylie,
Auckland
“Semi-automatic and automatic weapons are
designed with the sole purpose to kill. There are very few
genuine reasons to have access to such a weapon. Their
misuse has proven potential to be absolutely devastating and
they should be regulated as heavily as possible.” Rebecca,
Taranaki
“It will make me feel safer here” Kashif,
Wellington.
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