New Zealand Gun Buyback Gets Ugly, Targets Historic Arms

by
posted on February 20, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
new-zealand-gun-buyback-turns-ugly-f.jpg
New Zealand’s gun control debate didn’t end with the Dec. 20, 2019, deadline to surrender firearms affected by the nation’s newly enacted Firearms Amendment Act. While officials continue to refute claims the personal information of gun owners was compromised, there have been other developments.

In January 2020, law enforcement served a warrant and searched a house for a lever-action .22 Long Rifle rifle photographed by the homeowner—an image included in his statement opposing the program before it became law. His wife and two young children were at home when police arrived, detained and questioned separately.

Dieuwe de Boer provided details of the encounter in an article for The BFD, a New Zealand-based website that, in its own words, brings readers Brash, Focused and Dedicated news coverage.

“Half a dozen armed police officers swarmed in the front door (holstered sidearms only) as several more ran around the sides of the house,” he wrote. “They later called for more backup as the house was larger than your average state-house drug lab.”

“The warrant claimed they had reason to believe I was in possession of a prohibited magazine fitted to a ‘.22RL lever-action rifle,’” he explained. “The officer told me I had posted about it online, which I had—in my public written submission against the Firearms Amendment Act passed last year. I had used the firearm as an example to prove the legislation was not targeting ‘military-style assault weapons’ as the media, prime minister, and her cabinet repeated ad nauseum.”

The gun was not located, although de Boer indicated officers ominously said they are not giving up the search.

Historic Firearms Lost Forever

Kath Arnold and Andrew Barker collect firearms of historic significance and sentimental value. They surrendered a variety late last year, including lever actions. Fair and Reasonable Campaign, the organization working to save firearm rights in New Zealand, explained in a Feb. 2 press releases that, “Heartlessly, the Police have refused to organise (sic) safekeeping of the historic firearms. That means firearms used by New Zealanders in past wars have now been destroyed forever.”

The pair show some of the guns in a YouTube interview. ““You can’t get that history back now, it’s all bent up,” Arnold said.

More Restrictions and Court

A government committee has finished work on updates to the law, revisions that still require approval by New Zealand’s Parliament. Its language includes a ban on pump-action rifles and shotguns and ammunition restrictions. 

Attorneys for Fair and Reasonable Campaign have launched a legal challenge the current law. A court date has been set for May 4, 2020, and is scheduled to continue into the next day.

Latest

Stoeger STR-45 Combat pistol
Stoeger STR-45 Combat pistol

New for 2026: Stoeger STR-45 Combat Pistol

For 2026, Stoeger adds the .45 ACP chambering to its Combat line of STR handguns.

Battle Of The Kit Guns: .22 Long Rifle vs. .22 WMR

When it comes to the .22 Long Rifle or the .22 WMR, which of these two popular rimfire calibers is the better fit for a small-frame revolver? To find out, we put a Taurus 942 in both chamberings to the test.

Preview: American Hunting Rifles Ruger Reflex Sight

Designed and built by a custom riflemaker, and applicable across a broad range of Ruger platforms that feature that company’s distinctive integral scope mount dovetails, the American Hunting Rifles Ruger Reflex Sight Mount is available in either RMR or Shield red-dot footprints.

Barnes & Sierra Launch Free TrueData Ballistic Calculator

With Doppler-verified ballistics, precise environmental inputs and tools that match real-world performance, the TrueData Ballistic Calculator equips hunters and shooters with the ability to make accurate shots.

New for 2026: Benelli Ethos Cordoba Shotguns

Benelli expands its Cordoba line of shotguns with six new models.

New for 2026: New Products from Magpul

Magpul announces new metal-magazines, new stocks and pistol frames.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.