Advocacy Update: Clubs and Ranges Amendment Bill Passes Third Reading - To Become Law
The Clubs and Ranges Amendment Bill has passed its Third and Final Reading in Parliament following three debates held on Wednesday night, 26th of March.
The debate was highly charged. Minister Nicole McKee introduced the bill reaffirming its intent to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on clubs and ranges while maintaining a strong focus on public safety. Casey Costello also supported the bill, rightly noting that with rising firearm-related crime, it is essential to review existing laws to ensure they remain effective and balanced.
NZDA was disappointed to see all opposition speakers (Maori, Labour and Greens) rely heavily on emotional rhetoric, often failing to demonstrate a clear understanding of the bill’s contents. Many invoked the Christchurch terror attack or criminal firearm misuse to argue against the bill, with little recognition of the clear distinction between law-abiding, licensed firearm owners engaging in responsible shooting sports and criminals who operate outside the law. This misrepresentation underscores the importance of advocacy efforts to ensure fair and evidence-based policy decisions.
Highlights from the Debates:
Hon. Minister Nicole McKee (ACT) opened by addressing the need to simplify and reduce burdensome regulations on shooting clubs and ranges, particularly those run by volunteers. She highlighted how previous legislative changes in 2020 had placed unnecessary compliance requirements on these clubs, risking closures and making operations more difficult without improving public safety. The bill introduced a streamlined enrolment system for non-pistol clubs, allowed temporary ranges without full certification, and reduced inspection frequency. McKee emphasized that these changes aimed to maintain safety while ensuring clubs and ranges remained accessible and sustainable, promoting a more balanced approach to firearms regulation.
Ginny Anderson (Labour), in her speech, Ginny Andersen strongly opposed the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, accusing the Government of weakening firearms laws and prioritising political deals over public safety. She argued that the bill undermined the reforms made after the Christchurch terror attack on March 15, 2019, which included banning semi-automatic weapons and tightening gun laws. Andersen criticized the bill for loosening oversight on shooting clubs and ranges, particularly those used for extremist training, and transferring power from the Minister of Police to the Associate Minister of Justice.
Most significantly, she vowed that Labour would repeal the bill, undoing the exceptional work that our community has fought for.
Hon Minister Casey Costello (NZ First) spoke passionately about the need to review and amend legislation that was hastily passed in response to the Christchurch tragedy. She noted the increase in gun crime over recent years and argued that, six years later, it is important to assess whether the laws remain effective and appropriate, especially in the context of escalating violent crime. Costello stated that the Government understands crime and law enforcement needs and believes this bill will ensure lawful activities, like shooting clubs, can continue without unnecessary restrictions. They concluded by reaffirming their party's support for the bill.
Mariameno Kapa-Kingi (Te Pāti Māori—Te Tai Tokerau) opposed the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, ridiculously comparing criminal firearm use to the legal use of firearms at clubs and ranges. She cited tragic shootings to argue against loosening regulations, but her conflation of crime with law-abiding gun owners is misguided. She claimed the changes would harm vulnerable communities, though the bill primarily affects responsible firearm users involved in regulated activities.
What's Next?
The changes outlined in the Clubs and Ranges Amendment Bill will now be sent for Royal Assent and be put in place 3 months later. This short period of time allows for:
-
Administrative processes and forms to be finalised.
-
Amendments to the Arms Regulations 1992 to be brought into force concurrently.
Clubs and members should prepare for upcoming consultations on the regulations. More details will be shared as they become available.
Keep track of the current timeline, we are expected to have Royal Assent shortly:
Hon. Minister Nicole McKee expressed her gratitude in the House to those who took time to support the bill: “I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have worked on and contributed to this bill. I thank the Justice Committee for its comprehensive scrutiny of the bill and all of the submitters who took time to share their views. But, finally, I wish to thank all those volunteer club and range committees from the multiple disciplines that they all cover. Their endless dedication to their disciplines, their members, and their communities is recognised here and I hope these changes go some way to helping their continued operation.
The result of all this work has created legislation that is a step in the right direction towards a better, modernised firearms regime, and I look forward to returning to the House later this year to introduce legislation rewriting the entire Arms Act. I commend this bill to the House.”
Join and Support NZDA
Find and join a branch to get involved with promoting and protecting hunting in New Zealand! Search here.
https://www.deerstalkers.org.nz/join-and-support-us/branch-finder/