Waipu gun buy-back a success

BY JULIA WADE

With nearly 70 firearms turned in to New Zealand’s first rural buyback and amnesty event recently under the new gun reform bill, police are calling the event a great success.

Northland’s Acting District Commander, Inspector Chris McLellan, wants to acknowledge the 42 firearm owners who began queueing before the start time of 3pm at Waipu Rugby Clubroom doors on July 17, to ‘do the right thing’. 

Welcomed by police but also watched over by armed officers, the owners – some more reluctant than others to let go of their favourite hunting rifles – collectively handed over 68 guns and 122 parts and accessories. 

Waipu gun buy-back a successThe Waipu amnesty was the first of 21 events to be held across Northland in the next three months, with the second held in Maungaturoto on July 18. 

Local residents will get a second chance to hand in the banned firearms – which includes semi-automatic, military-style and pump-action shotguns, as well as any parts that transforms the firearm into a more powerful weapon – on August 28, again at Waipu Rugby Club.  

McLellan says police will be looking to constantly improve the handover process which currently takes approximately 45 minutes, to make it as ‘efficient and seamless as possible’ for firearm owners. 

“We thank the people who showed up for their patience while we worked through management of their firearms and our processes… the conversations the owners had with our staff were positive and engaging.”