Air rifle controls in Govt sights

A string of air rifle incidents in violent crime is gunning the Government into action: firearm controls are set to tighten early next year.

Police Minister Judith Collins plans to make changes to the Arms Act following police advice that owners of high-powered air rifles should require a firearms licence, her office revealed.

Police say air rifles should be taken seriously as they can kill - and have killed before.

This follows a string of serious crimes including the death of police sergeant Don Wilkinson last year after he was shot in the chest with a .22-calibre air rifle round.

Air guns are readily available over the counter to those over 18, without a need for a licence, despite being as powerful as other firearms.

Inspector Joe Green, the police national manager of firearms licensing and vetting, said police supported having added controls on high-powered air rifles.

One of the problems facing police was that people thought air rifles were not as dangerous as real firearms. "People who use them need to realise they are high-powered. Caregivers see them as a toy."

The Arms Amendment Bill No 3, which is being reviewed by the Police Minister, recommends owners of high-powered air guns should be licensed.

Green said this would help keep the weapons out of inexperienced hands.

Police are also looking into having a compulsory training scheme for new owners.

The changes are expected to take place early next year. The move is supported by the Council For Licensed Firearms Owners. Board member Andre Doyle said the council recommended to police that owners should have firearms licences.

"A number of people who we consider less than desirable have access to these weapons under the current rules."

A leading gun retailer said it was possible to buy an air rifle capable of firing a .177 round at over 1000 feet a second, for around $300.

Higher-priced air rifles were significantly more powerful than a normal .22 firearm and could be used for hunting.

Nitin Kumar, the duty manager of Cherrywood Liquor in Tauranga, found himself looking down the barrel of an air rifle during an armed robbery on October 6 this year. The gun was held by 18-year-old Shay Myers, who aimed the weapon at Kumar's head.

"I saw one gun, a long gun. At first I didn't know if they were kidding ... "

Myers aimed the rifle at Kumar while one of his accomplices took two cases of beer from the chiller before fleeing in a waiting car. Both accomplices have automatic name suppression as they are under 18.

Christchurch District Health Board paediatric surgery director Spencer Beasley said a shot that close could easily have been fatal.

William Cleverdon, of Will's Fishing and Firearms on Auckland's North Shore, said air rifles had the power to penetrate organs and bone. A shot from close range could cause brain damage if it broke the skull.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY