Firearms owners have now declared nearly 8000 guns for surrender, but that's just a fraction of how many now-illegal semi-automatics the Government expects are out there.
Police held a dummy run of a mass collection event in Wellington on Thursday, where police showcased the machine that will crush guns handed in for the buyback.
"Looks broken enough," Police Minister Stuart Nash said, watching over the demonstration.
- Gun buyback details revealed
- Gun buyback scheme: How it will work
- Police haven't ruled out buying back guns stolen from them
The firearms will eventually be shredded - safety steps to make sure the guns that are handed in at collection events are inoperable and "don't become a target for anybody.''
At the collections, gun owners will first prove there's no ammunition in their guns. Then they'll indicate whether they want to hand over the gun through the amnesty.
That can be done anonymously with any weapon with no questions asked, but with no compensation given.
Those who want compensation will have their gun and parts assessed on the spot, where aspects of firearms, such as its age, will be taken into consideration.
If they agree with the price, they part with the gun - and it meets its fate. Those who wish to dispute the pricing however, won't have their guns immediately smashed up.
Minister Nash revealed around 8000 firearms have been declared for surrender, about 5000 of which will be part of the Government's buyback.
The rest are either illegally held by people without firearms licences, or guns that weren't even banned. Owners have flagged they'll hand them over as part of the amnesty.
The 5000 banned guns declared are a fraction of what the Government thinks is out there, but the Police Minister isn't concerned.
"I think what will happen is there are a lot of people who are just waiting to see how this is working, and then as the process goes on, they will come in and hand in their weapons."
Details of how the gun buyback will work can be found here.
Newshub.
