ACT leader David Seymour missed the chance to object in Parliament today on the speed of new gun legislation, after pledging to oppose it.
Leader of the House Chris Hipkins sought leave of the House for the legislation to have its first reading today, so it would be ready for a second reading on April 9. It required no objections.
Mr Seymour had planned to "oppose the Government's plan to rush firearms legislation through Parliament". However Mr Seymour was not in the House to object, instead he was talking to media.
It passed without opposition.
"The Government would have forced urgency on us anyway," Mr Seymour said.
"The fact they took advantage of me being caught up answering journalists' questions shows how little regard they have for parliamentary democracy."
Earlier, Mr Seymour said he believed gun laws did need to change, but "good intentions and abrupt action do not guarantee good and lasting outcomes".
"We must get these changes right to ensure they are effective. It is important we maintain our tradition of sober, robust law-making at all times, but especially now."
New Zealand's new gun legislation is set to be law next week, with the Government outlining phase one of the county’s firearm changes following the Christchurch terrorist attack, where 50 people were killed at two mosques.
The first phase of changes are:
- Ban semi-automatics weapons and military style semi-automatics.
- Ban parts, magazine and ammunition used to assemble prohibited firearm or convert a lower powered firearm to semi automatic.
- Ban pump actions shotguns with more than a five shot capacity.
- Ban semi-automatic shotguns with capacity for detachable magazine.
- Create penalties and introduce new offences.
- Create new definitions of prohibited firearms, magazines.
- Establish an amnesty for firearm owners to take steps to hand over unlawful weapons, parts, magazines and ammunition by September 30.
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