Police to destroy old Remington firearms

Police will destroy $200,000 worth of firearms when they upgrade to semi-automatics because of a UN convention designed to prevent the illicit trade of weapons.

During the next 12 months police will spend $3 million replacing 880 Remington rifles with semi-automatics.

NZ First MP Ron Mark, and the Sporting Shooters Association have criticised the decision to destroy the Remingtons, saying it's a "politically correct move" that wastes taxpayers' money.

However, police say they have no choice because New Zealand, as a member of the United Nations, is compelled to abide by a convention designed to control firearm numbers and prevent illegal trade in them.

"This convention does not have force of law in New Zealand but it can be expected that New Zealand agencies will comply with it where they can," said National Operations manager Superintendent Tony McLeod.

Mr McLeod said even if police sold the Remingtons to licensed dealers they might get less than $200,000 for them - an amount that wouldn't cover the cost of the upgrade.

Sporting Shooters spokesman John Dyer said most of the Remingtons would be in pristine condition, as they were rarely used and well maintained, and would fetch a good price.

Mr Dyer said last time police upgraded weapons they sold their stock to a licensed gunstore in Auckland. Other organisations like the Army had sold firearms overseas where they got better returns.

He could not understand why things had changed, especially when police were in need of funds.

"The question is when police say they have to send a taxi to the Iraena Asher case because they haven't got enough staff on, well $200,000 would have meant perhaps another few officers on that night."

Mr Dyer said the rifles were not military-style weapons and were unlikely to end up in hotspots.

"Why are we slavishly destroying them? To make sure that somehow this is of some benefit to situations like Rwanda? The answer is it wouldn't make the blindest bit of difference."

NZ First law and order spokesman Ron Mark said the convention was not yet law here so there was no reason the rifles couldn't be sold to licensed dealers. "It's politically correct claptrap, the police are bowing to political pressure."

Remingtons, which are mainly used for shooting pests such as deer, are sold at licensed gun shops around the country and are legally imported.

"Where is the illicit trafficking in selling to licensed dealers. There is none," said Mr Marks.

"The Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Irradiate the illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects" convention was ratified in New York in 2001.

The weapon

* Remington rifles are used by hunters and sold at licensed stores around the country.

* It is estimated licensed dealers would be able to sell police Remingtons for around $600 each, with an additional $400 to $500 for those that have scopes and mounts.