By Michael Morrah
The owner of the country's biggest gun store says new rules aimed at restricting imports of airguns which replicate the real thing will do little to reduce crime.
An amendment to the Arms Act will mean people who import replica airguns must first obtain a permit from the commissioner of police.
David Tipple imports around 10,000 airguns every year and he now fears around 20 percent or 2,000 of those guns will require a permit before he can bring them in.
“Under the proposed changes, this gun would require a permit to import this one would not. And that's because this one is a recognisable copy of a known gun,” he says.
The changes would mean anyone wanting an airgun which is a copy of a pistol, a restricted weapon, or a military style semi-automatic would need a good reason to import one.
“Any legitimate importer should be able to front up and tell police why they wish to bring them in,” says Police Minister Judith Collins.
A legitimate importer could be a collector or a member of a club. Police say replica weapons are used in crimes like robberies almost every week in New Zealand and since 2005, the number of imitation rifles seized by police has risen more than any other category of firearm. The number of air rifles and air powered handguns confiscated by police have also gone up, but Mr Tipple says the rules won't stop criminals breaking the law.
“Controlling idiots is always outside the law. It's the law keepers who get affected and the law breakers continue to ignore whatever new laws,” he says.
Another gun shop manager, Bruce Motley, says the new rules are a waste of time.
“I don't think it will make any difference at all. There are hundreds of thousands of air pistols out there. They have been available for the last 50 or 60 years or more,” he says.
He says even a pistol from a two-dollar shop could be used to hold up a shop, and there're no plans to restrict the sale of those.
“The amendment to the Arms Act is expected to have its first reading in Parliament next month. Judging by the reaction from gun shop owners, there will be plenty of submissions in opposition.
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