The legislation introduces changes to the Arms Act 1983, Search and Surveillance Act 2012, and Sentencing Act 2002
The Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill has been passed, opening the door for changes to the Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) regime.
The bill grants police more powers to search gang members for firearm possessions. According to Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, it is part of the government’s 100-day plan.
“This bill represents the first phase of our work to update New Zealand’s firearms laws, with a focus on enhancing community safety. The bill addresses concerns around gang-related violence, public intimidation, and firearm-related crimes”, McKee said.
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The legislation introduces changes to the Arms Act 1983, Search and Surveillance Act 2012, and Sentencing Act 2002. It alters the current FPO regime in the following ways:
- adds to the required criteria for courts to issue an FPO, with a focus on gang members and gang offending
- sets a process for varying, modifying, or revoking an FPO.
- grants police a new search power to track compliance with an FPO.
“The changes are about making sure people are complying with FPOs; it is not an extra punishment. It is about monitoring compliance with the order that has already been placed upon them. And of course, the ultimate outcome is about making our communities safer,” McKee said. “Through this bill we are removing the ability of gang members and violent offenders to be in possession of firearms and giving police the ability to monitor the compliance of those with FPOs".