ACT Party leader David Seymour says recent police raids on gun owners are "disturbing", and he's calling on police to "act within the law".
Earlier this month, police raided two men's properties in Christchurch and Ashburton. Both men say they're unhappy with how they were treated by police.
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The Christchurch man told Stuff about 30 police raided and searched his home on April 2.
He claims police "pointed a rifle at [his] 12-year-old daughter", went through his 80-year-old mother's underwear drawer and left his entire family "anxious and shaken".
"I've seen them raid the Headhunters with less firepower than they raided us. It was just out of this world. Way over the top," he told Stuff. "All they needed to do was ring me and say we are coming around for a chat."
In another incident, a gun owner says "heavily armed"police raided his Ashburton property and questioned him about his views on police and Islam.
He told Stuff this was because he had bought an A-category AR-15 from Gun City the day after the Christchurch terror attacks.
Both men had weapons seized by the police.
Seymour says it's important for authorities to show restraint in enforcing our new gun laws.
"The events of 15 March in Christchurch are no excuse to trample people's basic rights or treat ordinary citizens with disrespect.
"Police have enormous power and officers must exercise it judiciously. Authorities must work with, not against, the gun community in order for the gun buyback to succeed.
"In the wake of Christchurch, Parliament treated the gun community with contempt. It is vital police don't make the same mistake."
Newshub.
