People with military-style semi-automatic (MSSA) weapons and assault rifles have till the tip of September at hand them over to police or face 5 years’ jail.
And Police Minister Stuart Nash has issued a stern warning to gangs who have mentioned they are going to hold their MSSAs: hand them in or face a brand new penalty of as much as 5 years’ jail.
The Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines and Parts) Amendment Bill has been launched to Parliament and can have its first studying tomorrow, Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters and Nash introduced at present
It will likely be reported again from choose committee on April eight following a shortened interval of public session, and are available into pressure on April 12. It is predicted to go with cross-party help, although Act chief David Seymour has but to resolve if he’ll vote for the invoice.
The invoice will outlaw military-style semi-automatic (MSSA) weapons and assault rifles, although there could be exemptions for weapons generally used by farmers for pest management, in addition to hunters.
The exemptions could be semi-automatic .22 rifles (with {a magazine} which holds not more than 10 rounds), in addition to semi-automatic or pump motion shotguns with inside magazines (holding not more than 5 rounds).
The Mongrel Mob mentioned on the weekend that it will not hand over MSSAs, however Nash pointed to the brand new penalty of 5 years’ jail for possession: “My advice to the gangs is, ‘Hand your weapons back.'”
Other new offences for utilizing MSSAs or shotguns with greater than 5 rounds embody:
• Up to 10 years’ jail for resisting arrest
• Up to seven years’ jail to be used in a public place; presenting them at one other individual; carrying them with prison intent; possession whereas committing an offence that has a most penalty of three years or extra
• Up to 5 years’ jail for importing, possessing, or supplying or promoting, or utilizing a banned half to transform a firearm into an MSSA.