Gun owners angry after siege sparks new rules

18th August 2009

Changes to licensing rules for military-style semi-automatic weapons would not have prevented the deadly Jan Molenaar siege on Napier Hill and was a ``knee-jerk reaction'', say firearms lobbyists.

Molenaar had an arsenal of military-style weapons in his Chaucer Rd house and used them to shoot dead Senior Constable Len Snee and seriously wound two other officers and a civilian.

Last week police began an advertising campaign, including Hawke's Bay Today, outlining what defined an ``MSSA'' (military style semi-automatic) and how owners of such weapons had to change their licensing or hand them in.

Internet gun auction site GunStuff owner Mark Fogarin said the reclassification was ``causing much confusion and frustration throughout New Zealand's firearms community''.

The change would have no effect on people like Molenaar, he said. Mr Fogarin said no check was made after Molenaar's licence expired to ensure he no longer had guns, yet he was unfit to hold a licence and had 18 guns including military-style semi-automatics.

Many gun owners are angry at the changes, with some taking official steps to try to stop them. One has applied for a judicial review of the police decision, while a group has complained to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

Owners must undergo more stringent vetting than for standard A-class endorsed licences and are required to have a more secure safe for weapons, costing upwards of $1000.

The newly formed National Shooters Association, which says it has about 60 members, has complained to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

Association president Richard Lincoln said police were spending $60,000 advertising a policy decision that was being challenged in the High Court.

He had applied for a judicial review of the change in police interpretation of the weapons.

Firearm law consultant David Wood said the police move was a ``pointless bureaucratic knee-jerk reaction to blame the good guys''.

Licensed Firearms Owners Council board member Andre Doyle said members were not entirely happy with the changes in rules.

- NZPA