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

Armasight Operator thermal riflescope
Armasight Operator thermal riflescope

New for 2026: Armasight Pro Series Thermal Platform

Armasight launches a professional-grade thermal-imaging platform designed to perform.

KelTec Launches KelTec Direct

KelTec begins its 35th anniversary celebration by launching KelTec Direct.

New for 2026: CVA Scout XP and XP-SB Rifles and XP Pistol

CVA expands its Scout line to include two single-shot rifles and a single-shot pistol.

Preview: Winchester After Hunt Dog Bed

Named after John Olin’s famed hunting dog, the King Buck product line exists within the larger Winchester Pet brand to showcase the company’s most deluxe offerings, and the After Hunt Dog Bed is a prime example of the line’s quality.

Review: CZ USA P10 Ported

CZ expanded its popular line of P10 handguns with a specially configured model that features integral barrel ports just behind the muzzle to aid in recoil management.

Keeping The Wilderness Quiet: Bergara's BTi30 Suppressor

Bergara joined the growing crowd of suppressor manufacturers in 2026 with its BTi30 design.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.