9. Question No. 9—PoliceDr EMILY HENDERSON (Labour—Whangārei) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 9—Police9. Dr EMILY HENDERSON (Labour—Whangārei) to the Minister of Police: What progress has been made on delivering the firearms registry?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN (Minister of Police): This Government is delivering on its commitment to implement the firearms register in response to the recommendation made by the royal commission of inquiry following the terrorist attacks on 15 March. Since launching 55 days ago 5862 licence holders have registered 25653 firearms and 1044 firearms parts to the new register. Firearms dealers are also showing excellent engagement in the system and have so far submitted 6396 sales and transactions. Given most firearms holders will have five years to register their firearms this progress just over 55 days demonstrates an excellent start to the new register. I'm really happy with how police and licensed firearm holders are demonstrating the seriousness with which they take their responsibilities.Dr Emily Henderson: What support are police providing firearms licence holders to register their firearms?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: Nearly 60 percent of the registrations so far have come through the online portal MyFirearms which is a safe secure and effective way for licensed firearms holders to register their firearms. The other 40 percent have registered their firearms through the call centre which is currently averaging only 12 seconds for a call to be answered. I understand from Te Tari Pūreke and the Firearms Safety Authority that those firearms licence holders have a positive experience when they call and deal with the registry team directly. Te Tari Pūreke are also available to talk to firearm licence holders and discuss their obligations and support them through these changes.Dr Emily Henderson: How does the registry help keep police and the community safer?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: The registry is about making our community safer by stemming the flow of firearms to criminals gangs and terrorists. The new registry will make it easier for us to identify those who would seek to be in the possession of or diverting firearms for unlawful or criminal purposes. While many of the benefits of the registry will take some time the registry has already stopped at least two suspended or revoked licence holders from purchasing firearms where previously they would have done so unlawfully. In one example the person suspended from their licence tried to purchase a firearm later in the day but failed due to the registry alerting the dealer.Dr Emily Henderson: What further reports has she seen on police targeting organised crime?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: A recent survey commissioned by Gun Control NZ as undertaken by Horizon Research demonstrated overwhelming support for the gun register in New Zealand. The survey found that support from 71 percent of New Zealand adults including a majority of ACT Party voters. Licensed firearm holders are also on board too with only 22 percent of gun owners opposing the registry. Given the gun register has overwhelming support from the public from the licensed firearm holders community from the Police Association and even some majority of ACT Party voters I remain surprised the Opposition won't make retaining it a bottom line in their policy. It's very clear that the firearms register is only safe with a Labour-led Government.