The shock closure of the Trentham Rifle Range to live firing signals another step in New Zealand’s march towards a socialist-driven vision of utopia, said ACT MP Dr Muriel Newman.

Two weeks ago the Chief of Staff of Defence Headquarters, Major General Dodson, announced the unilateral permanent closure of the Trentham Rifle Range. The Collection of Licenced Firearms Owners (COLFO) considers the range closure a ‘line in the sand’ issue over the erosion of the rights/privileges of the good shooters of New Zealand.

“For over 100 years, Trentham has been used as a firing range not by the army and a variety of local, national and international sporting groups. However, as a result of spurious British research that suggests bullets may be able to ricochet over mountains, the Army, without consultation and without warning, has decided to close Trentham to live fire.

“It does not appear to matter that there has never been an accident. Nor does the lack of concern expressed by the handful of families who live on the other side of the mountain - who are supposedly being protected by the closure - appear to be relevant. The Army, in its wisdom, has apparently decided it’s better to be safe than sorry and close the range.

“But questions are now being asked as to whether safety is the real motive. There is a view that the decision has been used as a front to progress the present government’s anti-gun agenda. It appears the Military have been aware of theoretical safety issues for some considerable time, possibly as long as two years, yet decided not to consult nor communicate their intended course of action.

“Regardless of whether the Trentham closure is really the result of an anti-gun plot - rather than a matter of safety - there is no doubt at all that our increasing obsession with safety is responsible for a steady erosion of individual liberty. The growing number of regulations being introduced to protect us in the name of safety, health and other lofty ideals, are eroding our freedom, choice and personal responsibility.

“We appear to be heading towards a society where dangerous sports will no longer be permitted, where risk taking will be illegal, and where it is almost not worth getting out of bed in a morning,” said Dr Newman.

ENDS

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