Trade Me allows military-style rifle sales to continue

Sunday, 17 March 2019

Trade Me has no plans to even temporarily suspend sales of assault-style weapons in the aftermath of the Christchurch shootings, in which 50 people were killed by gunman using an arsenal of five weapons including an AR15 rifle.

There are current listings for AR15 rifles from around the country, including Christchurch, but Trade Me spokesman Paul Ford said: 'After these terrible events, we've been asking ourselves what this means for our current approach.'

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday gun laws would change in the wake of Friday's shootings, and Ford said: 'We're closely following the Prime Minister's statements about gun control.

'We understand that the changes could be spelled out as soon as later on today. We're committed to reviewing the Government's approach and acting speedily regarding any specific changes to NZ firearms law that the Government makes clear.'

**READ MORE:

* Prime Minister says NZ gun laws will change

* NZ's battle over semi-automatics: Police frustrated

* 'Opportunity missed' for NZ to tighten gun control laws**

​Trade Me did reserve the right to 'to remove any listing which it deems to be for an offensive weapon', its website says.

But Ford confirmed Trade Me had decided against temporarily suspending sales.

Ford would not say whether Tarrant had bought weapons or equipment from TradeMe, saying the Privacy Act prevented it releasing information about individuals.

Trade Me restricted the types of firearm that could be sold across its platform, Ford said, and buyers had to provide their gun licence numbers to be able to make bids.

Trade Me did not allow the sale of military-style semi-automatic (MSSA) weapons, but under New Zealand gun laws an AR15 is not a MSSA unless it has one of five features.

One of these is an ammunition clip that contains more than seven bullets and, while Trade Me does not allow the sale of these larger clips, they can be bought in New Zealand, and there are even some New Zealand manufacturers.

Gun retailers like Tactical Imports can also sell -style rifles to people with the right gun licences, and there appear to be more than 15,000 such weapons in the hands of the public.

One of the Trade Me listings contains a link to a video on Youtube showing how rapidly AR15s can fire, and second video that reviews silencers, or suppressors as they are technically known.

Ford said: 'We're obviously shocked and reeling like the rest of New Zealand after this one, and our hearts go out to all the people affected by the events in Christchurch. Trade Me supports tighter gun control and we go over and above the law with our policies.'

The weapon-sale industry could face a more-restricted future, if the prime minister carries through with gun control law reform.

The Council of Licensed Firearms Owners (COLFO) said it would work with the government on gun control, but its spokeswoman Nicole McKee warned any new laws had to be effective in preventing further shootings.

On COLFO's website, in a document pre-dating the Christchurch shootings, it says: 'The tragedies that involve mass murder using firearms are normally followed by emotive calls for tighter gun control as people look for a quick fix to feel more secure.

'COLFO considers legislating to further restrict firearms possession among law abiding and licensed owners will have no effect on the incidents of violence involving firearms. This has been proven by overseas experience.'

McKee said: 'This tragedy has really ripped at the hearts of everybody here in New Zealand, including the licensed (gun) owners.'

But she cautioned against gun controls that would not prevent another shooting, but which would limit the legitimate use of firearms by responsible owners.

'We want to ensure we have a robust piece of legislation, and robust administrative processes that would prevent a person like this coming to our shores, getting a firearm licence, and causing the devastation he has,' she said.

COLFO would not support a ban on all assault-style rifles in the hands of the public.

McKee said the weapons had legitimate uses, including culling cattle and vermin, and in sport.

'I really believe there's a place for firearms in New Zealand,' she said. 'We are a community that uses them for business purposes, on farms, and for culling.

'We have sporting activities, which happen, which has won us gold medals overseas,' she said.

THE WEAPONS TRADE ME WON'T SELL:

* Knives, or weapons incorporating blades which are designed to be thrown such as throwing knives, ninja stars, or throwing axes.

* Knives with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife, commonly known as flick knives or switchblades.

* Knives with a blade that is released from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force, commonly known as butterfly or gravity knives.

* Any knife or blade which is designed to give the appearance of another article such as sword sticks.

* Any knife (excluding folding pocket knives with a blade less than 10cm in length) that is designed for easy concealment on the body, or has a double-edged blade designed for stabbing/throwing.

* Knuckle dusters, nunchucks, mace/morning star/flail, axes (designed/advertised as weapons) hooks, and spikes.

* Side handled/ASP/extensible batons, pepper/OC spray, stun guns or tasers.

* Any weapon, the possession of which would constitute a criminal offence under current New Zealand legislation

* Listings may not promote or imply violence, TradeMe rules say. 'This includes describing (or implying) that an item can be used in fighting, security, military or combat scenarios, or that using it in self-defence may cause injury (for example a 'self-defence knife').'