I am writing to you as my electorate MP to voice my support for this Government taking action to ban the sale and ownership of semi-automatic firearms in New Zealand.

The unfathomable and tragic events in Christchurch have brought the public’s attention to the issue of gun safety in New Zealand. New Zealanders have long been aghast at the many lives lost to guns, both semi-automatic and not, in the United States. We must take action to ensure we do not repeat the same failings as the United States.

The gun lobby in the United States has successfully managed to lobby politicians to prevent action being taken. I have no doubt they will try to do the same here.

The lives lost in Christchurch are an extreme. The lives lost to gang violence, the lives lost in accidental hunting accidents, the lives lost in suicide by firearms are all also arguments for this action to be taken.

That “99%” of gun owners are “responsible” is an irrelevant point in my opinion when as we have been shown by Christchurch, one “irresponsible” gun owner (who would have been counted in the 99% by gun advocates a fortnight ago) can take dozens of lives in a short space of time, cause mental distress across an entire country, and be regarded a hero by the evil, villainous communities he circulated within.

It is often said gun violence takes lives needlessly. The needless part is when agencies do not take action to prevent future deaths. I support a full ban on sale, importation and ownership of semi-automatic firearms. If it was on the table, I support a ban on sale, importation and ownership of all firearms, except under strict regulatory roles where a firearm is necessary to perform a public good (such as Armed Offenders Squad, Armed Forces, pest control by licensed officials) but where these firearms are tightly controlled and not allowed to be “taken home”.

I realize such a move is not on the table. I believe the Government will be looking at legislation around semi-automatic firearms which can be modified for the purpose of maximum human casualty. I support a ban on these weapons.

I support a ban on all semi-automatic firearms. It is often said by the American gun lobby the best defense against a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. If a firearm is, with or without modification, able to repeatedly chamber and fire a projectile - be it a bullet, shell, or any other form - with little to no room for human error in loading that weapon or need to rechamber, those at the other end of the barrel have no time to take action to either flee or disarm the shooter. Semi-automatic firearms of all kinds - not just rifles - cause wanton destruction when they are used against human beings. I support a ban on all semi-automatic firearms.

I am aware if such considerations are agreed by Cabinet, it’s likely there will be public submissions, where I can share these views. I want to share them with you now, proactively, so you are aware there is public support for such measures. I am sure gun advocates have been trying to get Government attention to stall or prevent any measures. I want, in any small way, to voice my support for these measures.

I support this ban.

Regards,