PCP air-rifle law

[Ray Exe]

And the consequences of this new law are... Well, let's say I want to knock over bunnies on my life-style block. I'm somewhat concerned about safety, and don't need to try to take them out beyond, say, 50 metres because I'm not a very good shot - just an ordinary Joe. Come the new law, when I go to buy my vermin-control air rifle, I find I need a FAL. OK, the bunny problem justifies getting a FAL and my mates all seem to have a FAL, so it can't be much of an obstacle. Later, armed with my bright shiny new FAL, I go to the gun shop and find I can get a wide choice of .22 or 17HMR rifles (or, indeed, any calibre), cheaper than a high-power air rifle. Whoopee! Now the bunnies don't stand a chance, particularly since I choose a silenced semi-auto, and I realise I can now have a go at the little buggers at 100 metres or more. The gun shop sees sales of air rifles dry up, but Ruger 10/22s just keep getting more popular - and with Dragunov-type stocks too! Also, I find that I can easily sell the hardware I've bought, without any awkward paperwork, and no-one knows where the rifle is, once it's left the gunshop. My cousin keeps badgering me for one...

And this in the name of safety... Brilliant!

Politicians require no qualifications, no experience and their performance is not monitored by any independent professional body. They expect to be taken seriously when they legislate in subjects about which they have no knowledge or understanding. Is there another 'profession' with these privileges?

[Cosmik de Bris]

The police have got ads on trade-me that point here:

http://www.police.govt.nz/important-information-people-who-own-pre-charged-pneumatic-air-rifles

It still doesn't tell you much. And I like this bit:

"They are increasingly becoming the weapon of choice for violent criminals who own and use them without having to undergo the rigorous background checks required for a firearms licence".

As if a criminal is going to apply for a license and have a background check.

[mike]

Another choice quote:

"Target shooters who use PCP air rifles will need to either:

    * apply for a firearms licence, or
    * arrange for appropriate supervision, and storage, from a member of an organised shooting club."

Rifles like this



that are purpose built to make very precise holes in paper cards at a distance of 10m must be very dangerous items indeed.
(The target shown is approximately real size, and it's a 10 if the white dot in the middle is completely gone.)

[Ray Exe]

...and I suppose ISSF PCP target air pistols, by virtue of having shorter barrels and being easier to conceal, are even more dangerous weapons? B Cat? (Don't tell the idiot legislators that you can also get repeating PCP air pistols!)