Horrendous attack in New Zealand

[Woodsy]

Kiwi,
Do you have to be a member of an authorised gun club in New Zealand to be able to own firearms there, or can you apply without it?

As Kiwi has mentioned, club membership is not required. What a lot of NZ people don't realise is that we have a right to own firearms enshrined in our legislation, just like the US 2nd Amendment. Applications for a Firearms Licence in NZ are on a 'shall issue' basis and can only be refused where there is clear evidence that an applicant is unfit (mentally, criminal, or criminal association). The Bill of Rights 1688 is an integral part of NZ legislation, removal of which would also take away freedom of speech, free elections, jury trials, etc. The clause containing the words"... may keep arms for their defence…" actually has a higher precedence that the other rights.