Church body calls for safety priority in gun law reform

In a submission to Parliament’s Justice Committee on the Arms Bill, the Commission supported the intention and direction of the Bill.

“This reformation is well overdue, as it intends to repeal and replace the Arms Act 1983, with the aim to strengthen public safety, simplify regulation and improve compliance,” the Commission noted.

But the “Bill’s first intention to strengthen safeguards to ensure responsible gun use, while noble in proposition, is vague in implementation”, the submission stated.

“We need only turn our sights to our neighbours in Australia, and the recent gun massacre in December 2025, to disprove the definition and notion of a ‘responsible registered gun user’, as the perpetrator of the Bondi shootings was a licenced, registered, multiple gun holder and member of a shooting club.

“Excluding gang members from holding a gun licence is a given, but is the Arms Bill in its current form stringent enough to prevent guns from ‘falling into the wrong hands’?”

The Commission stressed that the independent regulator proposed by the Bill should be “required to publish consistent, accessible, public reports on compliance, licencing decisions, enforcement activity and risk trends”.

“A balanced regulatory environment can protect the common good while avoiding undue burdens on those acting responsibly,” the submission stated.

The Commission acknowledged the Bill’s efforts to support responsible firearm use for hunting, sport, pest control, collecting and cultural purposes, but also called for broad consultation and public education measures.

The submission concluded by stating: “As a society and country, we cannot afford another ‘good intentions’ amendment or rewrite.

“The Arms Act must be firm, concise and clear. We acknowledge that some require firearms for subsistence, others for culture, leisure and pleasure. However, gun licensing, ownership, registration and use should not take precedence over, nor endanger, human life.”

The Justice Committee will report back to Parliament on the Bill by June 9.

FULL STORY

Arms Act Bill 2026 Submission (Auckland Diocese Justice and Peace Commission/NZ Parliament)

Arms Bill (NZ Parliament)