Warning from Waikato Police and gun-shop owners following close calls

 

Waikato Police have a stern warning for gun owners, comply with the safety requirements of your license or risk losing the privilege of owning firearms.   District Arms Officer, Richard Plas, said the call comes after a number of incidents were bought to his attention by concerned gun shop owners from across the Waikato.   “It appears there is a problem where firearms owners have been coming into stores seeking to have work done on their firearms and have been handing over weapons with either rounds in the chamber or in the magazine.   “This has happened on several occasions and is really disappointing when you consider safety and security are some of the basic principles of safe firearms use. Every firearms license holder has to undergo a test based on the Arms Code and when you consider the seven basic rules in Section One, (1B) you will note Rule One is treat every firearm as loaded, Rule Three requires you to only load a firearm when ready to fire and Rule Six requires you to store firearms and ammunition safely and that they should be stored separately, then it’s clear some people are ignoring the basics.”   One Western Waikato gun-shop owner, who spoke on the agreement of anonymity, said he had had five incidents over recent days where people had come into his shop with loaded firearms.   “The most recent incident was yesterday where a man passed a rifle to one of my staff and there were rounds in the magazine but it gets worse. We’ve had people pass firearms over the counter and when I or my staff have gone to check them there’s been a round up the spout.   “It’s totally unacceptable, it puts my staff at risk, it puts customers in the shop at risk and it puts any members of the public out on the footpath when the person’s bringing in the firearm at risk as well.”   Mr Plas said while anyone disregarding basic safety requirements can face revocation of their firearms license Police would rather focus on compliance and ensure firearms owners and the public were not put at risk.   “Regulation 19 of the Arms regulations 1992 is the piece of legislation that addresses the issue of people storing firearms with rounds in the chamber or magazine but really it’s more basic than that. It’s about people ensuring they’re following basic safety principals- it’s not too much to ask is it.   Seven basic rules of firearms 1. Treat every firearm as loaded 2. Always point firearms in a safe direction 3. Load a firearm only when ready to fire 4. Identify your target 5. Check your firing zone 6. Store firearms and ammunition safely 7. Avoid alcohol and/or drugs when handling firearms   End