POSSESSION OF ARMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 14 August 1924, Page 5

POSSESSION OF ARMS

FOOLISH AND DANGEROUS

POLICE COMMISSIONER'S VIEWS

(Frost our Parliamentary Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, This Day. That the Arms Act is proving useful is the opinion expressed by Police Commissioner Wright in his annual report. He says the importance of regulating possession of arms is receiving the attention of authorities in many parts of the world. -At the recent International Police Conference held at New York, at which'.'.'representatives from England, Ireland, Canada, South America and nearly all the European States attended, the matter was fully discussed. The carriage of firearms was referred to by those representing the United States as “our national menace and our national weapon.” The practice of carrying weapons was unanimously condemned and the ownership of such weapons shown to be • foolish and unnecessary. Heavy license fees up to 100 dollars were advocated for the right to possess or transfer a pistol. “This confirms the opinion I have previously expressed, that possession of pistols is quite unnecessary in this country and should he discouraged in every possible way. There can be no doubt that they only lead to the loss of life, both intentionally and accidentally. They serve no useful purpose and in the hands of inexperienced persons as most respectable citizens are, they become a source of danger to the owner and his family. The Act of 1920 lias already proved useful and will continue to do so. Some people resent not being allowed to land or purchase revolvers, but it is only in very exceptional cases that permits are granted and as revolvers are constantly being surrendered to the police by persons who no longer desire to he bothered with the necessary registration on change of address, it is only' a matter of time when the number held will be materially reduced.