The Government will make it illegal for "high-risk people" including gang members and serious criminals to own firearms.
A new bill to be introduced will involve Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPOs) to combat the "influence of gangs and organised crime to help keep New Zealanders and their families safe", Police Minister Poto Williams said today.
It follows rising concern about gang violence and illegal firearms, prompted by a spate of incidents including a recent shooting incident outside Auckland's Sofitel Hotel, believed to involve the Mongols and Head Hunters gangs.
It also appears similar to a bill proposed by National MP Simeon Brown, which focused more on organised crime.
Poto Williams is the Police Minister and she told Andrew Dickens the new initiative takes it one step further.
"The judge can add to this and say 'I actually believe that you should be prevented from not only owning a firearm but associating with people that do have firearms."
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