11. Question No. 11—Justice (Firearms)Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Associate Minister of Justice (Firearms)Question No. 11—Justice (Firearms)11. Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Associate Minister of Justice (Firearms): Does she stand by all her statements in respect of firearms reform?Hon NICOLE McKEE (Associate Minister of Justice (Firearms)): Yes in the context in which they were given including my statements confirming the Government's intention to rewrite the Arms Act to improve public safety reduce regulatory burden and improve compliance.Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Does she stand by her statements reported in Radio New Zealand that sports shooters may be permitted to own semi-automatic weapons or does she agree with the Police who have said such a change would introduce an unacceptable risk of high-capacity semi-automatic centre-fire firearms again becoming readily available in the black market through theft or provided by non-compliant licence holders?Hon NICOLE McKEE: I did not make the statement as has been referred to by that member. But what I will confirm is that in rewriting the Arms Act and having enduring legislation this Government will not take six days in which to pass legislation. We will go through a full process that will ensure that the communities of New Zealand are heard and participate in the legislative review. [Interruption]SPEAKER: Hold on your colleagues aren't ready yet.Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Does she agree with Nicole McKee when she said of gun reforms at the Justice Committee on 24 June 2021 And finally just on the firearms changes in itself I think it's really important to remember not only the loss of lives in Christchurch and Aramoana but the quarter of a million people who've been affected by rushed legislation changes."?Hon NICOLE McKEE: Absolutely. I agree with what Nicole McKee said back then—that we need to make sure that everybody is considered when it comes to legislation including not only those of the mosque shooting but those that have been affected by gun crime that has been allowed to take place under the previous Government's regime.Hon Kieran McAnulty: Point of order.SPEAKER: Ah—Hon Kieran McAnulty: Kieran.SPEAKER: Yeah I know. I was trying to work out whether it was "Honourable" or not. The Hon Kieran McAnulty. Sorry.Hon Kieran McAnulty: In light of the Minister's desire not to rush legislation I seek leave of the House to move out of urgency.SPEAKER: Leave is sought. Is there any objection?Hon Members: Yes.Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Does she accept that even stringent licensing like that for handgun licences will not stop all misuse of weapons such as that of Ian Dallison who used his licensed pistol to attempt to murder his landlord on 4 August 2022?Hon NICOLE McKEE: I agree that it's time that we had legislation that actually looks after the security and the safety of New Zealanders and that's precisely what this Government will deliver in this term.Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Does she believe that Christopher Luxon was telling the truth in September last year when challenged that under his Government people would have more access to semi-automatic firearms when he said "It's not going to happen."?Hon NICOLE McKEE: I'm not going to speak for the Prime Minister but what I will say is that legitimate use legitimate ownership—and our coalition agreement agrees to rewrite the Arms Act to make sure that we have a good safe system for New Zealanders those legitimate owners and those that have been deemed to be fit and proper by the New Zealand Police.Hon Dr Duncan Webb: How would permitting semi-automatic weapons address situations like that of Quinn Patterson who in July 2017 murdered his property manager and her daughter with a semi-automatic rifle illegally supplied by a licensed firearms holder Michael Hayes?Hon NICOLE McKEE: What an excellent question because I'm so glad to be able to speak to the regime that the Arms Act that is going to be rewritten by the end of this term is going to present for New Zealanders which includes ensuring stricter compliance security and fit and proper assertations from those that are in possession and use. And I look forward to correcting the mistakes that the previous Government made.Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Supplementary?SPEAKER: No you've used them all up."