Sporting Shooters Association of New Zealand

16/10/2026

THE FSA WISHLIST
Policy Proposal: Trust the Regulator with a 'nuke' power.

Let's face it, the FSA hated Mini Uzis and the like, and if you find one on a B-category endorsement still, don't be surprised if, when you transfer it, they force you to move it to C-category. Can't be having too much fun on B-category, I guess...

If it fits the legal definition, and it fits the rules of a discipline, then in our eyes, it's good to go. But that's a story for another day.

What the FSA had the arrogance to ask the MOJ for was essentially the ability to rewrite the law however they wanted, and be trusted to exercise that power in a responsible and measured way. This is also the same FSA that failed its mandate to such a dramatic extent that the organisation had to be disestablished.

This request would have let the fox into the chicken coop—a regulatory free-for-all where all their wildest dreams could come true. Had they succeeded, the damage would have been widespread. They could have moved the goalposts as it suited them, and we would all be left trying to comply.

Thankfully, this policy didn't get across the line this term... but that doesn't mean it won't come back. That is why joining organisations such as SSANZ and COLFO is so important.

If you enjoy learning about what the FSA was trying to achieve during the Arms Bill process, give us a follow, like, and share to stay in the loop.

13/10/2026

CAN THE FSE LEOPARD CHANGE ITS FSA SPOTS?

Our post on 9 October really kicked the hornet's nest, and rightly so—the FSA's submission to the MOJ on the Arms Act in early 2025 is nothing short of a sucker punch to the community. A punch that was only blocked by the Minister and MOJ.

But why should we care about the FSA? They were shut down a few weeks ago, right? The bad eggs and blue-shirt anti-gun factions are gone, right?

Well, you would think so... but SSANZ started noticing a distinct lack of job ads in the final months of the FSA. We started asking questions. It turns out that essentially all the staff that were in the FSA moved to Fi***rm Safety and Education (FSE).

Same people, same policies and biases, same roles and influence, but different uniforms, as shown in the OIA response. And for some of these particular staff members we have in mind, this is their third uniform change, as they were originally Police with roles in fi***rms administration pre-2019.

That is why shining a light on the FSA is just as important as monitoring what the FSE is up to. It provides important context for what we need to look out for going forward.

Initial indications are that the FSE is carrying on the FSA's projects which they inherited. We need to make sure the FSE doesnt follow the same path the FSA when they turned into an anti-fi***rm organisation paid for by the tax payer (including license holders).

We would welcome the Chief Executive committing to a firm rejection of the various harmful policies pushed by the blue shift clique within the FSA. Many of which we will be showcasing this month to all of you. We have the full FSA submission to the Ministry of Justice and will be circulating it in due course.

If the FSE is to be a truly independent entity it needs to discard the Police/FSA policy influences (and influencers) that justified the FSA's dissolution and the creation of the FSE. We are not here to try the same things for a third time. And if the blue shirt clique cannot respect the fact the FSE is not the FSA, then we dont believe they should be employed by the FSE and we hope the CE takes a similar view. Policy should be able to be contested openly, not sold in a echo chamber where we only come across it after the fact by OIA.

We will not take kindly to any evidence of anyone's persistence in undermining the FSE in its foundational stages. If the FSE does not succeed, then it will simply go back to the Police when the political winds change. This is an outcome license holders cannot afford.

We cannot understate the importance that this election will have for us. We need a Fi***rms Minister to serve as the check and balance on the blue shirt clique who have a misguided belief that they are fi***rm experts. If you want to keep your fi***rms safe, vote for Nicole McKee, an actual fi***rms expert, and ACT.

If you like what we do, feel free to give us a like, follow, and share. If you believe what we do is impactful, then feel free to join our organisation for $25.00 per year: https://sportingshooters.nz/ssanz-membership/

09/10/2026

THE FSA WISHLIST
Policy Proposal: 5 Gun Caps and Permits to Possess

For those that have been paying attention, SSANZ has become aware of a document submitted by the Fi***rms Safety Authority to the Ministry of Justice regarding improvements on the old Arms Act that they wanted, back in early 2025. We fully expect this document to serve as an FSE wishlist for when the Arms Act is reviewed next term. This point alone makes this election equally as important to our community as the last.

In short, this document turned into a depressingly anti-gun policy manifesto that we would expect from the Labour Party, but instead came from our own regulator. The same regulator who was saying to our face how they wanted to work with us and strengthen the relationship, yet would take every opportunity they were given to work against us behind the scenes. We will have many posts about their many 'good' ideas from this document in the coming weeks. All of this work was funded by the taxpayer...

The first being gun caps... they believe you are only worthy of 5. After that, you would need to obtain permission from the (not) completely objective and (not) impartial staff at the FSA. We are sure the FSA would never abuse this position at all (they would).

And what do they want to do with all the surplus fi***rms after they introduce the cap?

Well, just have another buyback of course, and put the entire fi***rms industry into turmoil as supply greatly outstrips demand for fi***rms. They would happily burn fi***rm dealers overnight, and with them the distributors who have no reason to bring in new fi***rms or spare parts. NSW is your case study, not a hypothetical.

The expansion of the Permit to Possess system to cover A-category fi***rm possession above 5 is just a stepping stone to the complete implementation of a Permit to Possess system as is the case in Australia. This is but the tip of the iceberg, and whilst the FSA's push this time didn't work, this doesn't stop it from being revisited in the future.

Have a read of the policy for yourself, share it with your clubs, and let us know your thoughts in the comments. If you like what we do, feel free to join us.

13/09/2026

Curious about the Chaz Forsyth Memorial Hunter Match? Check out Selwyn Smith's write up of last year's event in the Hunting and Wildlife Magazine Issue 231. This year is building on last year's feedback and will be bigger and better! Higher round counts, challenging targets, and even more prizes!

If this sounds like something you are interested, jump on to the event page https://www.facebook.com/share/1EYJvXU87u/ and sign up via Practiscore https://practiscore.com/the-chaz-forsyth-memorial-hunter-match-2026/register

If you want a limited edition event patch, then get in quick, we only have 50!

10/09/2026

Today Family and friends said farewell to SSANZ life member Alan Webster. Alan was diagnosed with Cancer last February and passed away peacefully at home on 4 September.

Alan was a founding member of SSANZ Northland Branch serving as treasurer from 2000 to 2020 and national treasurer from 2014 to 2020. In addition he was President of Whangarei Branch of NZDA for 15 years and an MSC fi***rm safety instructor also for some 15 years.

A "can do" sort of bloke, Alan was always ready to help others into the sport of shooting, and could be relied upon to undertake any task with a friendly and cheerful smile. A great asset to the shooting community and a "true gentleman".

Our sincere condolences to Alan's wife Judith, son Brendon and grandchildren Cam and Lucy and wider family.

08/09/2026

Must be that time of the week again. Its crazy to us that Police feel they can argue they are a suitable organisation for administering the Arms Act when they cant even tell if their own staff are fit and proper half the time.

Its getting a bit old.

Police officer suspended on full pay after allegedly tipping off drug suppliers

28/08/2026

We are thrilled to announce that this summer, COLFO is launching a new pilot programme to get more people onto shooting ranges and trying shooting sports for the very first time.

Try Shooting This Summer is a partnership between COLFO and Gun City. The aim is simple: a safe, supervised open day on a real range, so someone new can try .22LR and .223, meet a local club, and see what our community is actually about.

Here is what a host club gets. Gun City supplies the .22LR and .223 am******on and if they have a store nearby, a r***e or two. COLFO will design the ads and run the digital advertising campaign. All clubs need to manage is running the open day at their club.

Clubs pay a minimum of $50 a week for that advertising. COLFO takes none of it. Every dollar goes to promoting your open day.

We have limited the pilot to 15 clubs so we can do it properly. 9 of 15 slots are still open. If it works, you can expect it to grow next year.

If you run a club and want in, sign up here:
https://hughdm.wixforms.com/f/7483010044477309991

And if you already shoot: tag the friend you would take with you below. Two lucky winners will each receive a Game On Shooting Gear Seat and a Trailmate 900ml Insulated Tumbler courtesy of Gun City, so the two of you can sit down after and have a non-alcoholic drink together.

If you have been waiting to try or want to see the sport grow, tell your club. This is how we grow the sport and teach more people about our community.

27/08/2026

Apparently National recognise that semi autos are the way to go for goat and deer operations now.

22/08/2026

A lovely little OIA contained an Arms Act submission from 2025 (we are currently requesting the full document). This documents existence is not known to us but unfortunately the policy positions of FSA are known to us. Dont think button actions and lever guns are all they want, they are only the start... and this is it, in official documents.

One thing we will need to watch for when FSA dissolves and FSE takes its place is if the FSA staff who are pushing these attitudes will be rehired in equivalent positions in the new regulator. We need a culture change in FSE, not a uniform change for the third time.

10/08/2026

In the lead-up to the 2026 New Zealand General Election, COLFO invited all registered political parties to respond to clear questions on fi***rms policy. Every party received the same briefing and the opportunity to appear on a live Digital Town Hall. This page publishes their responses in full, wit...