increase font size
Feds rural security spokesperson Miles Anderson.
Farmers are throwing their support behind tougher firearms legislation proposed by the Government.
Federated Farmers says it supports the government’s intention to toughen firearms regulations.
"This will not be popular among some of our members but after a week of intense debate and careful consideration by our elected representatives and staff, we believe this is the only practicable solution," Feds rural security spokesperson Miles Anderson says.
"We are trying to tread a responsible path. The wrong guns can’t be allowed to get into the wrong hands."
"Christchurch, Friday March 15 has changed everything."
Feds’ message to members is to remember that at least this way, responsible gun owners are going to be recognised for being law-abiding, safety conscious and skilled.
Miles says it agrees with the Government there is no need for military style semiautomatic rifles in general public ownership.
“We also support the move to prohibit general access to, and possession of, detachable large capacity magazines for semiautomatic firearms."
"We’re pleased farmers are still going to have access to sporting semiautomatic rimfire rifles, such as the .22 long rifle, and sporting semiautomatic shotguns with limited magazine capacity."
These are needed for control of small, mobile pest species often found in groups (rabbits, possums, Canada geese) where quick follow-up shots is important for efficient, fast and humane destruction of these pests.
Federated Farmers considers there is a very limited need for centrefire semiautomatic firearms with large capacity magazines for professional pest management, but this access should be controlled by the kind of police checks, registration of individual firearms and the increased security requirements that currently apply to E category licences, Miles says.
"The surrender or destruction of firearms that don’t meet the new controls will be disappointing to many farmers, and others.
"But a clampdown is the responsible path to take to try to ensure we’re never witness to this kind of tragedy on our shores again."
Federated Farmers will contribute to the Select Committee process outlined by the Prime Minister this afternoon.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
Farmers have been airing their concerns to the Government over changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme.
Southland farmers are welcoming moves by the Government to repeal intensive winter grazing rules.
A new report shows farm employers across the dairy, sheep and beef, and arable sectors have continued to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff.
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.
Making things simpler, not harder, for deer farmers in farm planning and coping with regulations is Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) industry capability manager John Ladley’s current focus.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is launching an online business directory called The Country Women’s Collective to promote and support entrepreneurial rural women.
