Hunting rifles (file photo) Photo: 123RF
The National Party has released its firearms policy, claiming it will keep New Zealanders safer and protect access to firearms for responsible users.
The party is meeting in Auckland this week for its Northern Region Conference.
It said if elected it would clamp down on people who commit gun crime, while developing robust firearms legislation.
And its policies would ensure responsible people could use firearms for legitimate reasons.
Under the plan the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners would have a role in developing firearms policy.
It also promised to bolster firearms safety courses and shift statutory responsibility for implementing firearms law and policy to the Ministry of Justice.
To keep firearms out of the wrong hands police would be given greater powers to search for illegal firearms and confiscate them from gangs and criminals.
The party promised to ensure the police were relentlessly focused on making sure gangs and criminals did not illegally obtain and misuse firearms.
"Firearms are important for many people, particularly in rural areas, to maintain the environment they depend on for their livelihoods, enjoy social benefits like hunting and shooting sports and, for some, to put food on the table," National's hunting and fishing spokesperson Todd McClay said.
"There is a real difference between those Kiwis who are licensed and have a duty to use firearms responsibly and safely, and those who do not hold a licence and use firearms for crime."