Chris Hipkins Wants to Crack Down on Starter Pistols
November 12, 2022
Minister of Police Chris Hipkins says he will consider cracking down on starter pistols as “a very large number” of the blank-firing handguns enter the country.
Hipkins, in an interview this week, said the starter pistols sold by retailers - which are used to start races and do not require a firearms licence to purchase - could be modified to become conventional pistols.
“There’s been a significant increase in the number of starter pistols coming into the country … that’s an area of concern that we have to look at.”
The Police Association has warned converted starter pistols are being found by police officers. But Hipkins’ assertions have been disputed by David Tipple, the owner of retailer Gun City.
“Is he actually joking? Why don’t you ask him to show you one that’s been successfully converted,” Tipple said.
“Is that really where he thinks his energy should be put, while we’ve got people ramraiding and shooting each other with real guns?”