Police Minister adamant he wasn't aware of gang members training at gun clubs

Police Minister Mark Mitchell is adamant he had not seen warnings from police about gang members training at gun ranges when he agreed to changes loosening gun club regulations.

That is despite two papers from police that raised the matter with him.

The Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Bill includes new provisions that allows non-pistol shooting ranges to only be inspected by police when the range operator is applying for their initial enrolment, and then once every five years.

This marks a shift from the current regime, which allows inspections at any time so long as the operators are given seven days' notice.

The bill had its first reading in late September and is going through a consultation process at select committee, set to report back in February.

Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen questioned Mitchell in Parliament on Thursday about his commitment to tackling gun-related crime, and whether he was concerned about the Police Association publicly saying they were aware of gang members using shooting ranges.

The association's president Chris Cahill last week told a select committee about that happening - including since gun laws were tightened in 2019.

Andersen asked Mitchell if he stood by his previous comments in Parliament on 18 and 19 September.

"How does he reconcile telling the House on two separate occasions that gang members were not practising on gun ranges when a police email on 9 September 2024 released under the Official Information Act states, 'I've included images of those gang members shooting .50 calibre in the South Island, one being overseen by a senior NZ Pistol shooter'," she asked.

He responded: "Because at the time the question was asked, that's the advice that I had".

However, a memo had been provided to Mitchell on 30 April highlighting the need for police to continue to be able to inspect ranges on a frequent basis.

The copy provided via the Official Information Act did not, however, include confirmation the minister had seen it.

"Such activity was disclosed during consultation on the current regulations," the memo said.

"For example, a recent publicly available social media post showed field rifle shooting experiences being offered to individuals wearing gang patches."

Another OIA response - this one signed off by Mitchell - showed he was provided with another warning from police about the risks of reducing the number of inspections, but not evidence it was happening.

It pointed to two operations being actively investigated which "highlight the risk of gangs and organised criminal groups using shooting clubs and ranges to develop their skills using firearms".

This was followed by longer section, redacted to maintain free and frank advice to ministers by the public service.

Andersen's questions in Parliament on Thursday grew more pointed.

"How does he explain not having that information when it was provided to him in briefings on those occasions?"

His response was dismissive.

"When the member asks me a question in the House, I'll respond with the information I've had at the time. It's very simple."

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