UNREGISTERED FIREARMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 33, 8 February 1941, Page 4

UNREGISTERED FIREARMS

APPEAL BY HOME GUARD FREE FROM PROSECUTION Unregistered firearms and ammunition may be handed into the Home Guard by private individuals without fear of prosecution by the police, according to Major R. D. Hardie, D. 5.0., area commander to the Home Guard in Wanganui. He said yesterday that the Home Guard was in need of arms and ammunition and no doubt many people would be willing to hand unregistered rifles and ammunition to the Guard but were afraid of police action for having them in their possession. The police had agreed not to prosecute anyone handing rifles or ammunition to the Home Guard, said Major Haidle. Rifles did not necessarily have to be of the Army type, and some double-barrelled sporting g’ljs were very effective at 100 to 150 yards. The Guard was keen to obtac.i such rifles.

Major Hardie said unregistered arms or ammunition could be left at the Home Guard office in Ridgway Street.

Inspector J. A. Dempsey, of the Wanganui Police, said that since the 1920 Arms Act came into force it is possible that many rifles have changed hands without the present owners having them registered in their own names. It is now desired to have all these brought forward and registered as soon as possible.