Photo: Supplied/NZ PoliceThe National Party is pushing for gun law exemptions to be broadened to more groups as the legislation banning most semi-automatic weapons continues its rapid progress through Parliament. Licensed dealers and people authorised by the Department of Conservation to kill or hunt animals considered pests would be exempt. But farmers have missed out, despite their efforts to convince MPs semi-automatic firearms are essential for managing pests on private land. The bill would prohibit most semi-automatic firearms, parts that convert firearms into semi-automatic firearms, magazines over a certain capacity, and some shotguns. Chair of the select committee that considered the bill Michael Wood told Parliament the mayor of Christchurch Lianne Dalziel had told them another former MP was haunted by the failure to pass stricter gun laws in the 1990s.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 09, 2019 07:41 UTC