Waikato Police want to encourage people who inherit unwanted firearms without a licence- to take steps to ensure their safe storage or disposal.
District Arms Officer, Richard Plas, said loved ones passing on or a change of domestic situations were a fact of life and Police accepted that at times, people who don't hold a firearms licence may come into possession of guns.
"There are a number of solutions available to people facing such situations, firstly we encourage you to bring such items into your nearest Police station and surrender them.
"Alternatively, you can give or sell them to a friend or relative who has a firearms licence or take the gun to a licensed firearms dealer who may be able to sell it or arrange for its disposal on your behalf."
Mr Plas said correctly accounting for firearms, particularly restricted weapons, was important because of the risks associated with them falling into the wrong hands.
"Too often, when Police search properties linked to gangs and other organised criminal groups- particularly during drug searches, our staff are encountering unlicensed or 'off-ticket' restricted weapons such as pistols or military style semi-automatics (MSSA'S).
"The public should be aware that in situations like this the Police put a lot of effort into tracing where these firearms originated as we look to close down sources available to offenders.
Mr Plas said the Police message was aimed at getting people to do the right thing, not just for themselves or their families but the community as a whole.
"Only yesterday we had a member of the public bring in two firearms he had inherited from a deceased relative that he had no need or desire to hold on to.
"We were able to take them off his hands and make arrangements for their disposal while he was able to leave with the piece of mind of not having to worry about the expense of securing the guns properly."
The call for people to consider what to do with firearms in the event of their death or a change in circumstances is part of a Waikato Police campaign to get gun owners to tidy up their act around securing firearms.
Called 'Lock em or lose em' the campaign follows the theft of 12 firearms from three rural properties in the Waikato over recent days where the owner's homes had been left unsecured.
"The Police encourage the safe, recreational use of firearms and anticipate hundreds of lawful gun owners will be out over the weekend using their firearms responsibly either as individuals or part of an organised club event.
"What we're trying to encourage is responsible use backed up by responsible storage, a three stage process; use the gun, clean the gun lock up the gun."
Under the Arms Regulations 1992, it is a legal requirement that firearms are secured against theft and also:
• they are not put in a place where a child or unlicensed person has access to them,
• ammunition must be stored so that if a person gains access to the guns they are not also able to access the ammunition, and
• no firearms are left in any vehicle that is unattended.
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