THE NEW ARMS ACT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18062, 28 December 1920, Page 9

THE NEW ARMS ACT.

The provisions of the new Arm Act, which comes into effect on the first day of the new yearli are of a somewhat drastic nature. Under the new Act all firearms must be registered, and in addition no person may carry firearms beyond his own premises without a special license lo carry issued by the Superintendent of Police. No charge is made for registration, but a license to carry a pistol will cost 5/-. A month is allowed in which persons other than licensed dealers may register the firearms which they have in their possession. Shot guns ordinarily used for sporting purposes are, howe'er, specially exempted. They must be registered, but no license to carry them is necessary. A special exemption is also made for all arms and ammunition belonging to the Crown lawfully in possession of members of the Defence and Police Forces. A permit will in future be io import firearins, and another important provision declares an automatic pistol an unlawful weapon, which must either 'be destroyed, exported, e; surrendered to the police before April next. The many war trophies which our soldiers brought back witn 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 Ist, it is quite likely that all these automatic weapAis will have to be .handed in to the police in the meantime until the necessary license is obtained. All weapons or ammunition in serviceable condition handed 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 teouifres the new owner to register. The maximum penalty attached to the possession of an automatic pistol without a license is three months’ imprisonment, or a fine of £IUO.