New Zealand and the Gun Problem
Does New Zealand have a firearms problem? Do New Zealand's gun laws go far enough? To they go to far? How can one person come into possession of so many guns and lay siege to Napier for as long as he did and with the firepower he did?
Is this also something that would fuel the argument over our regular police having guns on their hips? I'm sure this would bring a rallying cry to the pro-police gun people, of which I'm still undecided about. But it certainly raises the questions about the situation.
Firstly though...I need to make a comment. I do not know everything about the New Zealand gun laws. There are various levels of registration and licensing for having guns and the different types of guns as well as being a dealer. I'm going to assume that for the most part, if I were to become an owner that there would be some check into my past and if something arose that I would not get one.
But I do need to say this. The gun control laws and really, any law only works for those who are law abiding and to be blunt...GIVE A TOSS about laws.
Jan Molenaar, who will sadly now always be known as the Napier Shooter obviously didn't as he lost his gun holding license in the 1990's and when laws changed in 2002 he couldn't get it back. But that didn't seem to stop him amassing a massive collection of weapons. That didn't stop him opening fire on police officers, killing Senior Constable Len Snee and wounding three others.
He wouldn't be the only one. There are and have been others who have no accreditation to hold guns, but none the less, could arm a small army. They don't care about the law. Its the same for disqualifying a driver. They still know how to drive and at times, even while driving while disqualified the damage they do and the punishment when caught dosent balance.
Take Bailey Junior Kurariki, NZ's youngest convicted killer. Paroled in 2008, breached his parole several times, assaulted his girlfriend, back out on bail. What message is this sending? Do the crime...but... ... ...(there is no ending).
Laws only matter to those who care. Those who own guns and use them appropriately and are properly authorised to have them try and be careful to ensure they do not lose the privilege. They know and understand the responsibility of being a gun owner and user. Much like those who own a car, know and understand the responsibilities of having and using a car as well as the conditions of their lisences.
Would I own a gun? I don't know. Do I care that others own guns? No, because I believe many who do use them for legitimate purposes. Do I think that the police should be armed? Often times, yes. I think they should, but that also puts a lot of responsibility on them to make sure that they are secure and out of reach of the general populous. For example, cops attacked, gun taken? Can happen.
Do I think people here have a right to bear arms? No...we've not had that culture for a long time. Its not worth it to restore that kind of culture because in general, New Zealand is not mature enough. I put that down to the fact those who drink cannot handle their alcohol and a car, let alone being drunk with a gun.
Those are my thoughts.
Is this also something that would fuel the argument over our regular police having guns on their hips? I'm sure this would bring a rallying cry to the pro-police gun people, of which I'm still undecided about. But it certainly raises the questions about the situation.
Firstly though...I need to make a comment. I do not know everything about the New Zealand gun laws. There are various levels of registration and licensing for having guns and the different types of guns as well as being a dealer. I'm going to assume that for the most part, if I were to become an owner that there would be some check into my past and if something arose that I would not get one.
But I do need to say this. The gun control laws and really, any law only works for those who are law abiding and to be blunt...GIVE A TOSS about laws.
Jan Molenaar, who will sadly now always be known as the Napier Shooter obviously didn't as he lost his gun holding license in the 1990's and when laws changed in 2002 he couldn't get it back. But that didn't seem to stop him amassing a massive collection of weapons. That didn't stop him opening fire on police officers, killing Senior Constable Len Snee and wounding three others.
He wouldn't be the only one. There are and have been others who have no accreditation to hold guns, but none the less, could arm a small army. They don't care about the law. Its the same for disqualifying a driver. They still know how to drive and at times, even while driving while disqualified the damage they do and the punishment when caught dosent balance.
Take Bailey Junior Kurariki, NZ's youngest convicted killer. Paroled in 2008, breached his parole several times, assaulted his girlfriend, back out on bail. What message is this sending? Do the crime...but... ... ...(there is no ending).
Laws only matter to those who care. Those who own guns and use them appropriately and are properly authorised to have them try and be careful to ensure they do not lose the privilege. They know and understand the responsibility of being a gun owner and user. Much like those who own a car, know and understand the responsibilities of having and using a car as well as the conditions of their lisences.
Would I own a gun? I don't know. Do I care that others own guns? No, because I believe many who do use them for legitimate purposes. Do I think that the police should be armed? Often times, yes. I think they should, but that also puts a lot of responsibility on them to make sure that they are secure and out of reach of the general populous. For example, cops attacked, gun taken? Can happen.
Do I think people here have a right to bear arms? No...we've not had that culture for a long time. Its not worth it to restore that kind of culture because in general, New Zealand is not mature enough. I put that down to the fact those who drink cannot handle their alcohol and a car, let alone being drunk with a gun.
Those are my thoughts.
Labels: Gun control, killings, Napier siege, parole
posted by Wiremu Bayliss at
6:34 pm
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