New zealand
New Zealand's government has announced significant reforms to its firearms laws, including the removal of police from the gun licensing process. This decision aims to rebuild trust between gun owners and regulatory authorities following tensions that arose after the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings.
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee introduced legislation that will transfer regulatory authority from the police to a newly established Firearms Safety Authority. This independent body will report directly to the government, ensuring a separation between law enforcement and firearm regulation. The 15 police officers currently involved in licensing will return to regular policing duties.
Despite calls from some groups to relax firearm restrictions, the government confirmed that the near-total ban on semiautomatic weapons, implemented after the 2019 attacks, will remain in place. The new legislation also proposes simplifying licensing processes for lawful owners, extending license renewal periods, easing storage regulations, and introducing a red flag system to share risk information among agencies. Additionally, the bill seeks to tighten controls on èD-printed firearms.
McKee emphasized that these reforms aim to correct the 'rushed and confusing' changes made in the immediate aftermath of the Christchurch massacre while preserving the core elements of prior reforms. The legislation is expected to be introduced to Parliament by the end of 2025, with the center-right coalition government aiming for its passage by mid-2026.
Gun owner groups have cautiously welcomed the reforms, particularly the restructuring of the regulatory body. They view the establishment of an independent authority as a positive step toward fairer and more transparent firearm regulation.
