REGISTRARTION OF FIREARMS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLVII, Issue 51, 24 December 1920, Page 2

REGISTRARTION OF FIREARMS.

On .January 1 the provisions of the new Arms 'Act come into force. Under the new- Act all firearms unust be registered, and in addition no person' may carry 'firearms Ibeyoud his own premises without a special license to carry issued by the superintendent of police. No charge is made for registration, but a license to carry a pistol will cost ss. A mouth is allowed in which persons other than licensed dealers may register the ifirearms they have in their possession. Shot guns ordinarily used for sporting purposes are, however, specially exempted. They must (be registered, 'but no license to carry Miera is necessary. A special exemption is also made for all arms and ammunition belonging to tl»e Crown lawfully in possession of members of the Defence and Polieo Forces. A permit will in future be necessary to import firearms, and another important provision declares an automatic pistol an unlawful weapon which must U><> destroyed, exported or surrendered to the police before April 1 next. The many war trophies which our soldiers brought 'back with them have not been overlooked, however, and the Minister of Defence is empowered to license any person who has served beyond the seas or a near relative of his to retain a weapon 'brought back from overseas. As these special licenses may not 'be available before April 1, it is quite likely that all these automatic weapons will have to foe handed in to the police in. the meantime until 'bli£ necessary license is obtained. All weapons or ammunition in serviceable condition, hauded in to the police will have full value paid for it by the Government. Another provision forbids the selling of firearms without a permit, and requires the new owner to register. 'The unaxilmum penalty attached to the possession of an automatic pistol without a license is three months' imprisonment or a fine of £IOO,