Submission on the Firearm Prohibition Orders Public Consultation
This submission is made on behalf of Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand (AIANZ) to provide a human rights lens to the Firearms Prohibition Orders consultation. Amnesty International is a global movement of over 7 million people who protect human dignity and defend human rights. In New Zealand, there are approximately 40,000 members and we work on a wide range of human rights issues of both national and international significance. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to firearm regulation.
The misuse of firearms by private individuals results in a range of human rights abuses in New Zealand. The New Zealand government has a clear obligation to prevent and reduce firearm violence, including threats of violence, through the implementation of strict, robust and effective systems for regulating the possession and use of firearms and ammunition, to prevent them from being used by private actors to abuse human rights.
AIANZ has advocated for improved firearms regulation, in line with international research and human rights standards. AIANZ submitted in favor of passing both the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines and Parts) Amendment Bill and the Arms Legislation Bill. The attached submission outlines our recommendations to decrease the risk of firearms violence, our support for the FPO proposal, our concerns on aspects of the FPO proposal and recommended safeguards.