18 Mar 2019

Semi-automatic gun ban 'probably right way to go' - Bridges

From Morning Report, 7:41 am on 18 March 2019

Three years ago, the Police Association warned members of Parliament the country's gun control rules were so inadequate they could result in a mass killing. A parliamentary select committee recommended changes in 2017. But the Police Minister at the time, Paula Bennett, accepted only seven of the 20 recommendations - prompting accusations from the Police Association she had succumbed to pressure from the gun lobby.

But National leader Simon Bridges tells Kim Hill that now, everything has changed.

He says banning military-style semi-automatic guns is "probably the right way to go, but let's hear the Prime Minister and the government... National will be there in constructive fashion.

"Change is needed, National will make sure it's a constructive partner in this. I'm open to any and all changes... It is now for the government and Prime Minister whose roles I respect in this to put forward those proposals, to talk with us & for decisions to be reached," he says.