10. Question No. 10—Justice (Firearms)Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Associate Minister of Justice (Firearms)Question No. 10—Justice (Firearms)10. Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Associate Minister of Justice (Firearms): Does she stand by all of her statements and actions in respect of firearms reform?Hon NICOLE McKEE (Associate Minister of Justice (Firearms)): Thank you Mr Speaker. Yes especially my statement regarding the fact that semi-automatic firearms were never banned under his Government. The fact of the matter is that there are over 6600 licensed firearm owners in New Zealand who have licence endorsements which can allow them to possess a semi-automatic firearm. Semi-automatic firearms were never banned under that member's Government; many were merely transferred on to other firearm licence endorsements such as prohibited" "pistol" and "collector" endorsements among others.Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Does she stand by her statement regarding reintroducing semi-automatic weapons like those used in the Christchurch mosque attack: "I'm not reintroducing anything. Those firearms [are] already here. In fact we have 6600 people who have endorsements to be in possession of those firearms"?Hon NICOLE McKEE: Yes I do stand by that statement.Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB: Who is correct in relation to high-powered semi-automatic rifles: the police Minister when he said in response to written questions "As [of] 1 March 2024 there are 328 persons authorised to possess and use (including firing live ammunition) a prohibited firearm for the purposes of pest control" or the Minister when she said "we have 6600 people who have endorsements to be in possession of those firearms"?Hon NICOLE McKEE: Both those statements are correct but the way that the member has asked the question I think he needs to go and have a look at the difference between the endorsements and prohibited licences because yes there are 328 pest controllers out there but there's also a large number of members of the licensed firearms community that can still use those prohibited firearms. Now there is a difference between what Brenton Tarrant used and what is a centre-fire semi-automatic and I suggest if the member would like I can give him some education in differing and understanding what they both are.Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Why did she say that "currently over 6600 New Zealanders are licensed to possess semi-automatic firearms" when asked by Mark Cameron in this House on 27 February 2024 "Will her Government allow competitive shooters to use semi-automatics for sporting purposes?" when the question was clearly referring to high-powered semi-automatic rifles which are prohibited for such events?Hon NICOLE McKEE: I'm very confused by that question. For one there's no such thing as a high-powered semi-automatic—we have rim-fire; we've got centre-fire. And if I may Mr Speaker all firearms that are in the wrong hands of the wrong people can actually make damaging and catastrophic effects. But I just kind of wonder—I'm more than happy to sit with the member and work through so that he understands the differences between our different endorsements: prohibited restricted and endorsements.Mark Cameron: Thank you Mr Speaker. What comments has she seen from the Police Association?Hon NICOLE McKEE: I did see a comment from Mr Cahill that read "she is using these figures to try and suggest that semi-automatic firearms are already widely available when they're not". I would suggest that Mr Cahill cease trying to mislead the public. After working adjacent to the firearms community for many years he will be well aware that semi-automatic firearms can be owned on a number of licence types and licence endorsements.Scott Willis: Thank you Mr Speaker. What sport does the Minister believe centre-fire semi-automatic firearms are suitable for?Hon NICOLE McKEE: My personal opinion on what I have not taken to Cabinet yet is not a discussion for the House at this stage. When it comes to looking at whether or not there will be in addition to the sporting exemption that we already have for some users—such as pistols for example—it needs to be a decision that is made by Cabinet. As yet I've not had advice on that position and I'm not ready to take that position to Cabinet.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Does she stand by her statement "This Government is the adult in the room and we are committed to finding a solution to this issue for the benefit of public safety and practical regulation."?Hon NICOLE McKEE: Absolutely. We are definitely the adult in the room. In the 2018-19 year there were 2076 conviction charges for firearm-related offences but in the 2022-2023 year this has increased to 2588. This is a 24 percent increase. New Zealanders have not been made safer by the rushed firearm laws and this Government is wholly committed to righting the wrongs for the past for the benefit of public safety and practical regulation.Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Thank you Mr Speaker. Does she agree with Tom Mauser whose son was killed in the Columbine school shooting when speaking of semi-automatics being used for sport shooting: "I understand that there are people who have fun firing these weapons … But we have to get beyond fun and we really have to consider the danger." if so why is she distracting from the debate on the danger of semi-automatics by suggesting they're more widely available than they really are?Hon NICOLE McKEE: My sympathies go out to all of the families that have been affected by the Columbine shooting but it is of an important note that we are not America we do not have their laws and our laws and legislation will be relative to what we have here in New Zealand and the use of those firearms."