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Copyright 1996-2002, Council of Licensed Firearms Owners.



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COLFO Guide to New Zealand Firearms Laws

A user-friendly guide to New Zealand Firearms Laws from firearms consultant John Howat.

Support for Political Parties

COLFO position paper on support for political parties.

COLFO takes a professional approach to combating firearms-related disinformation. Proponents of "gun control" frequently appeal to emotional arguments and unscientific research.

COLFO's views are based on sound research and experience. Our position papers are based on fact, not emotion, and our submissions are respected by media, politicians, and officials alike.

The COLFO online reference library is divided into three sections:

 

Position Papers

The following position papers set out COLFO's position on major issues for firearms owners in New Zealand.

These position papers reflect the policies of COLFO. Some member organisations may have different positions, reflecting the opinions of their own members.

See also:

 

Submissions

COLFO closely monitors changes to policies, legislation, and regulations that might affect firearms owners. Although much of COLFO's work is done in private meetings with key policy influencers, COLFO has established a reputation for well-researched public submissions.

Address to Nadi Seminar

COLFO Chairman John Howat's address to the United Nations Regional Seminar on Small Arms and Light Weapons for the South Pacific in August 2004.

Transfer of Authorised Explosives

A submission to the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) relating to new regulations affecting the transportation of gunpowder, primers, and ammunition.

Police Amendment Bill (No 2)

A submission to the Justice and Law Reform Parliamentary Select Committee opposing amendments to the Police Act undermining the independence of the Police.

Arms Amendment Bill (No 2) (354 KB MS Word)

A submission to the Justice and Law Reform Parliamentary Select Committee opposing the registration of individual firearms.

 

Research

Birth of the Canadian Gun Registry

A gang that couldn't shoot straight The Liberals' gun registry program was pointed at Kim Campbell, not crime. That's why it shot itself in the foot, says former justice adviser John Dixon.

Comments on John Howard's "gun control" initiatives

Comments on a recent statement by Australian Prime Minister John Howard's statement of 24 October 2002 on handgun control.

Recreational Firearms Ownership in New Zealand

An analysis of two different groups of firearms owners who possessed firearms for different recreational activities by Angus E R Bain, a masters student in psychology at Canterbury University.

Written questions to the Minister of Police

This section reproduces written questions put to the Minister of Police and Labour MP George Hawkins and his responses in full.

  • Questions from ACT MP Stephen Franks.
  • Questions from National MP Eric Roy.

COLFO guide to New Zealand firearm laws

A guide to New Zealand's firearms laws prepared by firearms consultant John Howat for COLFO.

Thorp Review

Documents related to the 1997 Thorp Review recommending registration of individual firearms on the Police website.

 

COLFO Administrative papers and reports

NEW COLFO Board report 2006-7 (300KB MS Word Document)

New Zealand and Australian Shooters Establish Regional Forum

Chairman's annual report to COLFO's annual general meeting on 13 March 2004.

Submission to ERMA regarding the Transport of Authorised Explosives

Letter from minister of police George Hawkins

Council Objectives

Arms Amendment Bill (No 3) (February 2005)

Letter from minister of police George Hawkins (September 2003)

COLFO position on support for political parties (May 2002)

Firearms owners outraged at appointment of gun control activist (8 July 2001)

Firearms owners appalled at judge's comments (2 May 2001)

Notice regarding Trentham rifle range closure (12 December 2000)

COLFO supports practical firearms laws (8 October 2000)

Cutting the Tape, 2007, Program outline

For 'Cutting the Tape 2007', the full invite, click here (128KB PDF)

Click here for full description about 'Cutting the Tape 2007' (41KB PDF)

Click here for 'Cutting the Tape 2007' registration form (175KB PDF)

The report of the Justice and Electoral Committee on the Electoral Finance Bill

The two submissions made by COLFO representatives presented to the Select Committee:

Colfo - Written submission Electoral Finances Bill2

Electoral Finances Bill Colfo verbal to Select committee

The Journalist's Guide to Gun Violence Coverage, Making sense of spin in the news by Dr. Michael Brown

See also:

Firearms Safety Seminar

Organised in conjunction with COLFO, Police, and Mountain Safety Council.

 

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COLFO News

 

Green Party Appointment

Gun Ban Call Puts Headlines Ahead of Heart

SPARC board appointments

 

Green Party Appointment

The Green party has recently appointed Chris Henry to the position of Issue Convenor for gun control policy. We can assume that from this the Green Party is going to focus more attention on gun control as part of its election campaign. (Released April 2007)

 

Media Release April 17 2007

Gun Ban Call Puts Headlines Ahead of Heart

 The International Coalition for Women in Shooting and Hunting (WiSH) has slammed the Australian Greens’ demand for more gun bans in Australia following the horrific Virginia Tech shooting in the United States .

 WiSH Chairwoman Dr Samara McPhedran said “With the United States in shock, families grieving for their loved ones, and a death toll that may yet rise, now is not the time to engage in political point scoring in Australia .”

“It is appalling that the first response to such a dreadful event in the US is not sympathy, but gun prohibitionists demanding more bans in Australia .  This is nothing more than callous exploitation of the loss of human lives.”

 “Now is a time to show compassion, instead of cynically chasing headlines yet again.  The Australian public are tired of politicians and anti-gun lobbyists using overseas tragedy to advance political and ideological agendas,” said Dr McPhedran. 

A pdf of this release is available by clicking here (108KB)

 

SPARC board appointments

The chair of the board of government agency Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC), John Wells, has been reappointed for an additional 15-month period. (May 2007)

---------------------------------

The chair of the board of government agency Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC), John Wells, has been reappointed for an additional 15-month period, Sport and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

"John has been the SPARC chair for six years and has successfully overseen the integration of the previous functions of the Hillary Commission, the New Zealand Sports Foundation and the policy arm of the Office of Tourism and Sport into the new organisation.

"I have asked John to stay on as chair for an additional 15 months in order to help guide the organisation through the planning, implementation and review of the Beijing Olympic campaign in August 2008," Trevor Mallard said.

"I am also pleased to announce the reappointment of Tina Karaitiana to the SPARC board and the appointments of Alan Isaac and Donald Stewart.
"Alan and Donald bring strong commercial, governance and management experience to the board, while Tina has a long association with sports at both an elite and local level.

"They join Christopher Doig, Dr Sarah Sandley, Elizabeth Coutts, Dr Jenny Ross and Rob Fisher on the SPARC board and ensure we have the mix and balance of skills necessary to help SPARC deliver on its vision for New Zealanders; to be physically active, participate and win at sport on the international stage."

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COLFO 'Cutting the Tape' material

The seminar was a great success and it is our pleasure to be able to present some of the material from some of the key speakers:

Ron Mark's Speech, Member of Parliament (42KB Word Document)

Inspector Joe Green's presentation (226KB PowerPoint file)

Mike Wotherspoon's presentation from Customs (70KB Word Document)

Dr Peter Dawson's presentation from ERMA (841KB PowerPoint file)

Caroline McDonald's speech, from MFAT (57KB Word Document)

The Mountain Safety Council's presentation (NOTE: This is a large file at 10,938KB, or ~10MB)

Thank you to everyone for their participation in this event and their willingness to share their time and work with all of us. We appreciate the efforts of all involved, both large and small.

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