FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1930, Page 6

FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES

PROPOSALS TO CHANGE THE LAW.

NO REGISTER OF SPORTING GUNS.

(By Wire— Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. In its main features the Arms Amendment Bill, introduced in the House of Representatives to-day, resembles the Government measure of last year, which suffered defeat in thp Legislative Council. The necessity for registering shot guns of the kind generally used in New Zealand for sporting purposes is removed. c If any police officer has reasonable ground for suspecting that a person of unsound mind or in a state of tion is in possession of firearms, ammunition or explosives, or has threatened to kill himself or some other person, he may undertake a search without warrant and seize and detain firearms, ammunition or explosives. The disposal of firearms, etc.,, which have been held by the authorities for 12 months is authorised.

The section prohibiting the introduction of firearms, ammunition or explosives into- New Zealand without permit is extended to provide that if any officer of the police or Customs has reasonable grounds to suspect that any firearms, ammunition or explosivees have been brought into the country in breach of the law, the officer may seize the articles and detain them. Authority is given for the use of such force as may be necessary for effecting the seizure of goods. Another section makes it unnecessary to secure a permit to purchase explosives for blasting operations id any work permitted by .law.