Doug and his late wife collected firearms. Doug has already sold the majority but he had some rifles left that came under the scheme because they held more than 10 rounds.
Last Tuesday we went to the local amnesty buy back event. It was held at Barge Park which was an excellent location. The start time was 3 p.m. but we decided to go early and arrived just after 2.30 p.m. to find many people already there, some already being processed. There were also several armed police outside, something we are not used to here in New Zealand. Doug had seven firearms to hand in mainly Henry and Winchester with one BSA.
All except the BSA were in new condition still in the boxes and several with the tags still on. To start with we went to an armourer outside the building who checked that they were all empty. We then went inside the hall where there were tables with an armourer and a computer operator at each table. We only waited a short while before being processed. The armourer had to check the firearms for condition and I think he was nearly in tears saying in some instances that he had the same gun but these were in a far better condition. It seems such a shame that these are all going to be destroyed however the prices paid were very fair. All Doug's were rated as new/near new.
Everyone was very helpful and tea/coffee were available. By the time we left there was a long queue waiting to be processed. Everything was valued and processed at the time and all that remains is for the payment to come through.
I did not think it a good idea to take a photo but below is a photo of an event in a nearby town from our local paper.
I wish the USA was as smart, compassionate and brave as NZ is to ban guns. We had another mass shooting yesterday at a family-friendly festival in CA. It doesn’t even make headlines anymore because it is so common. We just want to make semi-automatic weapons of war illegal, but the powers that be won’t let that happen no matter how many people and children are killed.
ReplyDeleteThe "gun lobby" seems to have control over there. A terrible situation.
Deletefairly done, not just hand them in for nothing
ReplyDeleteYes, it was very fair. I just hope they don't run out of money before all the firearms are handed in.
DeleteI think there is NO need for a semi-automatic gun, apart from a collector, and if a hunter says he needs one, he should not be shooting if he cannot get the first shot right. So glad the hand in went well , I have heard stories of so many arriving the later ones had to be turned away.
ReplyDeleteYou are up early. Yes I agree about the hunters. It is good that there is such a high turnout.
DeleteI'd be very sad to hand over my old BSA air rifle. Father gave it to me when I was about 11. I'd rather bury it than have it destroyed.
ReplyDeleteI doubt if your BSA would have been included, it needed more than ten rounds. I just hope people are not burying their AK 47's
DeleteThank you, Doug, for doing the right thing. I have no interest whatever in weapons but I do understand that it's difficult to part with things we've had in our possession for many years, even if fair prices are paid. It will of course not solve the problem completely but anything that makes it harder to commit these crimes must be worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThank you, John. Doug's main interests are the workmanship and history so it was very hard knowing they were going to be destroyed.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a very good idea, my worry is that not everyone is going to be conscientious like you and Doug and hand in their guns, I"m sure there will always be a few maniacs out there hiding theirs.
ReplyDeleteYes, but at least now the firearms can be confiscated and the people charged.
ReplyDelete