|
|
Firearms : Range certification - New Zealand PoliceApplying for a licence | Importing a firearm | Importing by tourists Range certificationWith more than 200,000 licensed firearm owners in New Zealand there is a strong body of firearm users who will require range facilities for their sport. The vast variety of shooting events need special ranges; designed to allow the practice and competition of the events without danger to range users or the public. The design, establishment, maintenance, upgrading and auditing of these ranges is the responsibility of the national bodies for the various shooting disciplines. They certify ranges for their affiliated clubs. Initially all ranges are checked and certified by a specialised range inspection officer from the national shooting association concerned. Where there is any structural change to the range, or any change to the disciplines for which it is used, re-inspection of the range is required. Shooting associations, New Zealand Mountain Safety Council and Police have lists of certified range inspection officers. It is a Police responsibility to administer the law with the aim of ensuring the safety of all citizens. This includes the auditing of range standards. The Police are responsible for formal approval pistol club ranges only, and do this on the report of a recognised Range Inspector from the NZ Pistol Association. The Police only become directly involved with other ranges when safety issues arise, such as accidents or complaints. Police can and do close all types of ranges for safety reasons. The New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council publish a Range Manual that provides a uniform basis for the construction of new ranges and the upgrading of existing facilities. It is for the guidance of shooting associations and their clubs and for range inspection officers. Clubs contemplating building a range should liaise with their national association in the first instance. Police Arms Officers will want to know about the construction of new ranges and the upgrading of existing ones in their area, but are not responsible for the range certification or approval. When setting up a range it is the responsibility of the club to liaise with the respective regional and territorial local authorities. The advice of a range inspecting officer will be useful at the outset but, generally, all the work to meet statutory and local authority requirements should be completed prior to calling for a range inspection. The range inspection officers may be contacted in the first instance through the national shooting organisation. The Mountain Safety Council has the recognised authority to provide advice and recommendations about the status of a range. Government departments have responsibility for health and safety, hazardous substances, land use, environment and other matters that can affect ranges. Local authorities with responsibilities for land use, noise, recreation and public facilities can also affect ranges. In the absence of legislation that directly controls and provides for the administration of shooting ranges, there are a number of laws that are applied. The Arms Act 1983 and Arms Amendment Act 1992 and the Arms Regulations 1992 are administered and enforced by the Police. The main objective of the police is to seek compliance with the law and regulations but where the use of a range itself is unsafe they can close it. Other applicable acts are: The Summary Offences Act 1981, the
Crimes Act 1961 (crimes against public welfare), the Explosives
Act 1957 (storage of ammunition), the Civil Aviation Regulations
1953 (safety of aircraft), Health and Safety in Employment Act
1992 (range organisations may be principals, employers, owners
and must conform), Resource Management Act 1991 (land use and
noise concerns), the Local Government Act 1974 (local government
regarding recreation facilities, by laws and land use), the
Building Act 1991 and Building Regulations 1992 (codes of
practice, building use and safety), the Fire Service Act 1974 and
Fire Safety and Evacuation of Building regulations 1992, the
Fencing Act 1978 (important for stock and people control) and the
Historic Places Act 1993.
If for safety reasons the range inspecting officer sees a requirement to close a range the following procedure is to be followed:
Some closures will, by way of the problems involved, be permanent. In cases such as this the club will be required to relocate or close. Resources
|
|
|
