Three-Month Arms Amnesty Offered

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31769, 28 August 1968, Page 28

Three-Month Arms Amnesty Offered

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 27. The Minister of Police (Mr Allen) today announced details of a three-month arms amnesty.

“The chief aim is to take out of circulation as many pistols and revolvers as possible,” he said, in a statement. “We should not overlook the fact that hand-guns are designed for killing people.”

Mr Allen said although some had been brought back to New Zealand as war souvenirs they could be used for robbery and crimes of violence if they got into the wrong hands.

“Unfortunately last year there was-an increase in the number of times firearms were used in robberies and this is a matter of concern." he said. “It is hoped this will not become an established trend here. “In some countries the gun' is above the law —we want to keep it so that the law is| above the gun.” Mr Allen said the amnesty —effective between September 1 and November 30—would also give an opportunity for people to get rid of firearms which had been lying around the house for years and were no longer In use.

“If these are handed in it may save children from experimenting with them and so injuring or killing themselves or someone else,” he said.

The terms of the amnesty will be: ’

During the amnesty anybody may surrender revolvers, pistols or mach-"ine-guns without being prosecuted or having to disclose the source of the arms. Unlawfully held rifles may also be surrendered, but on request consideration will be given to registering the present owner.

Registered owners of firearms who have changed their addresses without notifying the police may give notification without being prosecuted. Unwanted firearms and ammunition will be accepted by the police. If the police are notified about hand grenades or

bombs, these will be collected by an Army bomb disposal squad.

Mr Allen said that grenades or bombs should not. be moved by anybody else because they were liable to explode. During the last amnesty for arms in New Zealand some 2752 weapons were surrendered, including 35 mach-ine-guns and 782 pistols and revolvers.