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Police seize biggest-ever weapons haul
24 March 2006
By CHALPAT SONTI
More than 2000 airguns will be destroyed in what is believed to be the biggest seizure of imitation weapons in New Zealand.
Police confiscated 2103 guns – including imitation police-issued Bushmaster rifles and Glock pistols – from a Porirua man. He had been warned for selling the guns without a dealer's licence in his shop, then again when found selling them on the Internet.
Kapiti-Mana arms officer Bruce Colville said police then found the man had simply switched identities and continued selling the guns on the Internet.
Police raided the man's home in September and found the guns in a bedroom. He admitted having already sold about 300 for between $6 and $120 each.
It was believed to be the largest such haul of weapons in New Zealand, Mr Colville said.
The offender was granted diversion by Porirua District Court, and had to surrender the weapons to police. Included among the haul – which cost him about $20,000 to import from Hong Kong – were 17 types of weapons, including some with military scopes and laser sights.
The man was able to import the guns because there was no legal requirement to have a customs import permit for them, Mr Colville said.
Kapiti-Mana area commander Inspector John Spence said the guns, which fired plastic pellets, could create fear if carried openly in public or poked out of a car window.
"Irresponsible use will in all likelihood be met with an armed police response," he said.
Police recently swarmed on a Porirua youth who wandered through the city centre with an imitation pistol tucked into his pants. No chances could be taken with such incidents, he said.
Mr Spence said while airguns were popular with children they were not toys. They cannot be sold to anyone aged under 16, while buyers aged between 16 and 18 need a firearms licence.
Buyers aged over 18 do not need a licence but can be prosecuted for failing to use airguns for their intended purpose.
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24 March 2006
By CHALPAT SONTI
More than 2000 airguns will be destroyed in what is believed to be the biggest seizure of imitation weapons in New Zealand.
Police confiscated 2103 guns – including imitation police-issued Bushmaster rifles and Glock pistols – from a Porirua man. He had been warned for selling the guns without a dealer's licence in his shop, then again when found selling them on the Internet.
Kapiti-Mana arms officer Bruce Colville said police then found the man had simply switched identities and continued selling the guns on the Internet.
Police raided the man's home in September and found the guns in a bedroom. He admitted having already sold about 300 for between $6 and $120 each.
It was believed to be the largest such haul of weapons in New Zealand, Mr Colville said.
The offender was granted diversion by Porirua District Court, and had to surrender the weapons to police. Included among the haul – which cost him about $20,000 to import from Hong Kong – were 17 types of weapons, including some with military scopes and laser sights.
The man was able to import the guns because there was no legal requirement to have a customs import permit for them, Mr Colville said.
Kapiti-Mana area commander Inspector John Spence said the guns, which fired plastic pellets, could create fear if carried openly in public or poked out of a car window.
"Irresponsible use will in all likelihood be met with an armed police response," he said.
Police recently swarmed on a Porirua youth who wandered through the city centre with an imitation pistol tucked into his pants. No chances could be taken with such incidents, he said.
Mr Spence said while airguns were popular with children they were not toys. They cannot be sold to anyone aged under 16, while buyers aged between 16 and 18 need a firearms licence.
Buyers aged over 18 do not need a licence but can be prosecuted for failing to use airguns for their intended purpose.
LINK