New firearms rules around online trading needed: Police Association

Tactical top folding Mossberg stock shotgun being sold on the Trademe account of Whangarei double shooter Quinn Patterson. Photo / Trade Me

The Police Association is calling for the Government to crack down on online firearms sales following the two fatal shootings in Northland last week by a man without a gun licence.

Police Association president Chris Cahill urged politicians to re-look at the recommendations from the Law and Order Select Committee Inquiry into the illegal possession of firearms in New Zealand.

The Herald revealed at the weekend that Quinn Patterson did not have a licence but was buying firearms and selling accessories for military weapons until the day he died. Patterson was linked with a TradeMe account offering police tactical or military-style weapon accessories.

He fatally shot property manager Wendy Campbell and her daughter Natanya when they went to his Northland rental home.

The select committee report recommended a registration process for websites where firearms, parts or ammunition was traded, which Cahill said would give police officers more confidence.

"This would give us assurance that online purchasing regimes would have necessary protections, but politicians rejected registration."

However, the Police Association's own policy went further and wanted the online sales of firearms banned.

The Police Association said the existing firearms regulations fell short as it did not ensure all people buying firearms had licences or that those purchased actually went to the licenced person who purchased the weapon online.

Cahill said significant improvements would need to be made to ensure only clearly identifiable licensed firearms owners could purchase and receive firearms before the association relaxed its position.

The Police Association said Trade Me supported its view that there should be a register of all firearms serial numbers.