Firearms owners in Canterbury are leading the way with the new national Firearms Registry.

Licenced firearms owners across the country have responded well to the Registry, with it taking just seven months to get to the 100,000th firearm recorded into the system.

This is from nearly ten percent of the approximately 235,000 licence holders in New Zealand.

Firearms Safety Authority Executive Director Angela Brazie said so far, Canterbury is the area with the highest number (14,289) of firearms registered – around 14% of all registrations to date.

Brazier said “this result isn’t surprising, as at the end of December 2023, there were 35,510 firearms licence holders in the Canterbury District, which is the largest concentration of firearms licence holders in any District in New Zealand.

“The Firearms Registry is all about preventing firearms getting into the wrong hands.

“Digitising the licencing system enhances our ability to detect unlawful and criminal activity.

“Along with preventing the sale and purchase of stolen firearms, the Registry provides a better way for Police to trace where firearms used by criminals have come from.

“Disrupting the flow of firearms to criminals works in tandem with other Policing initiatives that target organised criminal groups and gangs.

“These separate but complementary strategies are together making it harder for criminals to possess and use firearms and are making our communities safer.

“When fully rolled out, the Registry will provide a picture of all lawfully held firearms and arms items in New Zealand.

To register your firearms online head to www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz or give us a call on 0800 844 431 (Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm, except public holidays).