The Firearms Registry in New Zealand reached a significant milestone today with the registration of its 10,000th licence holder. The current registry holds data of 10,044 licence holders who have registered a collective 47,162 firearms. On average, this equates to 4.7 firearms for each licence holder.
Initiated just three months ago, the system has already accounted for approximately 5% of New Zealand’s 234,335 active firearms licence holders. The positive response from licensed firearms owners throughout Aotearoa has been commendable.
Angela Brazier, Executive Director of Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority, emphasised that the central aim of the Firearms Registry is to enhance community safety by restricting criminals’ access to firearms. All licensed individuals are mandated to provide their firearm details to the registry and maintain its accuracy. Instances that trigger the need for updating the system include changes in the licence holder’s details, purchase or sale of a firearm, or reporting of lost or stolen firearms. However, if there’s no such triggering event, the licence holders have until 31 August 2028 to register.
Ms Brazier expressed gratitude to all who have registered so far and urged others to follow suit. She highlighted that a complete registry would offer a comprehensive view of all legally owned firearms in New Zealand, ensuring transparency during firearms transactions and making it tougher for them to reach the black market.
The initiative not only seeks to halt the flow of firearms to criminals but also aligns with other policing strategies that target organised criminal factions and gangs. The combined efforts of these strategies will make it increasingly difficult for criminals to acquire and utilise firearms, ensuring a safer community. The registry will also aid in tracing the origins of firearms seized from criminals or found at crime scenes.
