The firearm thread

**Indiana_Jones** · 2nd August 2010, 23:22

Originally Posted by twistemotion

Which organisation do you guys think is the best one to protect the interests of firearm owners in NZ? I know about COLFO, but the latest news on their website is from August last year. What's going on? I expect more activity than that from an organisation I pay membership to help look after my interests. The anti-gun lobbyists are far more active than that!!

I certainly hope there's some other organisation which is doing a better job.

NSA

-Indy

**jono035** · 2nd August 2010, 23:53

Originally Posted by twistemotion

Which organisation do you guys think is the best one to protect the interests of firearm owners in NZ? I know about COLFO, but the latest news on their website is from August last year. What's going on? I expect more activity than that from an organisation I pay membership to help look after my interests. The anti-gun lobbyists are far more active than that!!

I certainly hope there's some other organisation which is doing a better job.

There are a few of us Kiwi-biker shooters that are members of an organisation called the National Shooters Association. It was born out of the E-category stock re-interpretation bullshit that was happening this time last year, created by the guy who took the Police to court over it and won.

http://www.nsanz.org.nz/

As an organisation the NSA seeks to represent all shooters, regardless of type of firearm owned or choice of sport. E, B and C endorsement holders as well as, most recently, airgunners are all in constant discussion on how the organisation can best represent the rights of all shooters.

I'm only a member who occaisionally chips in an opinion on the forums, but it's good to see a place where people are willing to fight for all aspects of our sport, even if it is not one they participate in.

**Swoop** · 3rd August 2010, 08:31

COLFO were an absolute disgrace with the stock interpretation debacle.

**Mr Merde** · 3rd August 2010, 09:02

Originally Posted by twistemotion

Which organisation do you guys think is the best one to protect the interests of firearm owners in NZ? I know about COLFO, but the latest news on their website is from August last year. What's going on? I expect more activity than that from an organisation I pay membership to help look after my interests. The anti-gun lobbyists are far more active than that!!

I certainly hope there's some other organisation which is doing a better job.

The NSA (National Shooters Association) are the only group who stood up to the Police over the attempted reinturpretation of the MSSA rules. They took the Police to the High Court and after 8 months received a favourable verdict from the Judge. This has caused a major backdown by the police in regards to exactly what constitutes a MSSA.

They are a small group of people but they are woilling to go the extra mile for the rights of shooters.

Currently they are in discussion with Judith Collins (the Police Minister) over changes to the airgun laws. From what I have seen they are being very serious and attempting to lessen any drtaconian changes the minister tries to impliment. They have done this by actually asking airgunners their opinion and suggestions.

http://www.nsanz.org.nz/

Chris

**twistemotion** · 3rd August 2010, 21:51

Thanks everyone, NSA looks like a good option then. I realise one can't solely rely on an organisation to defend your interests, and must personally chip in when needed. We do however need a body to do press releases and such to the media and do some high level lobbying, and it must be ACTIVE.

**Wolf** · 4th August 2010, 09:33

NSA hands down. All the rest are of the "can't fight the government" or "it doesn't affect our particular sport so why should we care" persuasion.

The NSA was started solely because all the other so-called shooting advocacy groups - who seem to like to pull in fat fees for doing fuck all - did absolutely nothing during the MSSA reinterpretation bullshit.

If the other groups had not been such a pack of limp-dicked fuck-arounds, the NSA would not have been formed. One bloke had the balls and the tenacity to take action when all the other so-called advocates advocated sitting on their hands and doing nothing.

**The Pastor** · 4th August 2010, 10:49

the deer stalkers also lobby for hunting rights - no idea how well tho

**Wolf** · 4th August 2010, 12:57

Originally Posted by renegade master

the deer stalkers also lobby for hunting rights - no idea how well tho

Well, we're permitted to hunt anywhere except for where we're forbidden to...

**Finn** · 5th August 2010, 09:17

First post in ages... Who are all these people?

Decided to get my NZ firearms licence and what a drama. 7 weeks and no communication what so ever. Meanwhile a Chinese immigrant at my pistol club got his in 2 weeks! Don't care that he's Chinese, he's a nice fella but surely background checking me would be easier. I wonder if gang members have to wait this long? Damn red tape!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to some gun ownership again. It's been a while and will get my B & E endorsement once my A is sorted.

**jono035** · 5th August 2010, 09:19

7 weeks is starting to get a bit long... When I got mine, it was a case of them only doing the safety course once a month, so I had to wait a couple of weeks for them to process my application and then a month before the course rolled around.

Tried chasing it up with your local AO at all?

**Finn** · 5th August 2010, 09:25

Originally Posted by jono035

Tried chasing it up with your local AO at all?

Yes, twice. I'll give it till next week and if I haven't heard anything I'll pop into the station and ask what the hold up is.

**Swoop** · 5th August 2010, 10:58

What station are you going through? Auckland Central?

BTW, welcome back. The place has changed a bit...

**Drunken Monkey** · 5th August 2010, 11:10

The timing is around the availability of places on the mountain safety courses, plus they (apparently) still have a paperwork backlog from all the E-Cat applications.