The Canadian firearms control strategy
Cabinet papers, prepared for the previous Government on
proposed firearms reforms for New Zealand were based on
the Canadian firearms control strategy implemented in
November 1998. However, policy work and decisions in
New Zealand were made prior to Canada implementing its
new strategy.
The Canadian strategy was based on the universal
registration of firearms, and legally required firearms owners
to post statutory declarations of firearms possessions. The
strategy also coincided with changes to licensing, and a
change in focus on security and training.
We are aware that Canada has experienced significant
difficulties in establishing a registration system. Canada has
400 separate police services, lacks a working, wide-area
computer network, has a strong urban/rural split, a strong
user-firearms lobby, as well as indigenous hunting rights. A
major problem experienced by Canada is the inability to
counter arms smuggling across the unguarded
US/Canadian border. These difficulties have contributed to
considerable errors in the registration system (as the
advantage of quick returns is offset by the need to check all
entries that are made), resulting in low compliance and high
costs. We understand that[b] widespread non-compliance is
also a serious issue.[/b]
[b]NUFF said[/b]