"Police recognise that this is a big change for the law abiding firearms community and we are hearing really positive feedback from people as they come through today that they are finding the process works well for them," Johnson said.
"For those firearms owners in the Christchurch area who haven't been to the Collection event we will be open until at least 3pm today and tomorrow from 10am-3pm at Riccarton Racecourse."
One gun owner - who wants to remain anonymous - says he didn't have much faith going in.
"I was selling my hunting firearm - it's a semi automatic. I got $13,000 for it."
Gun owners at the racecourse. Photo / RNZ
He says he's happy with that, as it was a very expensive purchase.
"I didn't think this would be a fair process at all - I wasn't particularly happy about it. But the outcome was good and they handled it well."
Another man, who handed in his SKS semi automatic, says the entire process was painless - and the wait was pretty short.
"You show up, they give you a number and call you up one at a time. They've got a gunsmith on site who goes over it with you - and I reckon they're being pretty fair."
