New Zealand to Control Air Rifles

[Old Fashioned]

The New Zealand Police Minister plans to make changes to the Arms Act that will require owners of "high powered air rifles" to have a firearms license. Police are also considering a mandatory training requirement for new owners. "A number of people who we consider less than desirable have access to these weapons under current rules."

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10616618&ref=rss

[carlo1776]

Here in Canada, air guns with a muzzle velocity greater than 500 fps are considered firearms and require a firearms license.

[Dial 1911 for Help]

Hmmm. Maybe we could send them our ATF guys. You know, the ones that seized AIRSOFT guns claiming they could "easily" be converted to real guns (full auto, no less) with "minimal work". The "minimal work" part makes me think they've confused their normal work day with the task of making an M-16 out of a toy. D'oh!

[Aguila Blanca]

I'm still wondering about that BATFE seizure. Those had to be electric airsofts, and there ain't no firing pin. Or conventional trigger group. I'd like to know exactly how they can be converted to fire real ammuntion at all, let alone "easily."

[Martin32]

I think all you have to do is to buy just few another parts (those unsubstantial ones like frame, stock, magazine, barrel, trigger assembly and such) and from the airsoft rifle use the substantial ones, like sights and grips.

[allforguns]

I am absolutely amazed at the amount of brain-power that must go into crafting some of the legislation in this world.

[Dial 1911 for Help]

"I am absolutely amazed at the amount of brain-power that must go into crafting some of the legislation in this world."

Me too. It gets tiresome having to use so many zeros AFTER the decimal point.