Loaded firearms handed in at gun buy-back events

Friday, 8 November 2019

Two firearms have discharged and some have been handed in loaded at firearms buy-back collection events around the country.

Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement said police have had 12 occasions where firearms have arrived at collection events loaded.

'While our processes have ensured there was no risk to any member of the public, we have had two incidents where firearms have discharged when the firearm was being processed by our staff in a non-public, secure area.

'We put in additional safety measures to ensure firearms cannot discharge at all, however we can only implement these measures once the firearms are in our possession so it is important people ensure their firearms are cleared of ammunition before they leave home,' Clement said.

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It was important that for everyone's safety that when firearm holders attend a collection event, go along to a dealer site or transport their firearm for modification, that they clear their firearms and parts of any ammunition before leaving home, he said.

The amnesty will end on December 20, Clement said.

'No excuses … there are less than 50 days to go to hand in prohibited firearms and parts.

'There will be no extension so if you want compensation for your items come along to a local collection event in your area now.'

Police have announced more than 200 collection events will be held around the country as the end of the amnesty and buy-back draws to an end.

An updated list of collection events is available on the Police website.

Police data show that as of October 29, more than 32,000 firearms and 120,000 parts had been handed in, under legislation allowing the Government to buy them from owners following the Christchurch mosque terror shootings in March.

The new law bans all semi-automatic and military-style weapons, such as those used in the Christchurch shootings, and is intended to get weapons out of circulation quickly.

The Government has paid out $62,141,345 for prohibited firearms, parts and magazines so far during the scheme.