MSC confirm tender application for firearms safety training

MSC confirm tender application for firearms safety training

Mountain Safety Council (MSC) chief executive Mike Daisley has confirmed MSC will be submitting a tender to NZ Police for the delivery of a new model of firearms safety training.

“We’re aware that Police have now called for a tender of the safety training component of the firearms licencing process, which is standard procedure government contracts of a certain scale and is no surprise to us at all.”

“The MSC will be submitting a tender as we believe we’re well placed to deliver the kind of robust and consistent national framework required in the future. Our position is that a small network of paid instructors is the best way to ensure consistency of safety training nationally, something the general public are acutely concerned about, and rightly so.”

In a statement released today, a Police spokesperson confirmed that the tender process was standard procedure for government procurement.

“Police’s focus is having a robust and effective firearms safety education programme that ensures users have the necessary skills and knowledge to operate firearms safely and responsibly.”

“The decision to tender for the ongoing provision of firearms safety education programmes reflects Police’s commitment to a fair and transparent method for selecting who will continue to provide this important service as part of the wider firearms license process in New Zealand. This is a standard government procurement process which is open to all relevant providers who are now invited to tender.”

“In the meantime, MSC will continue to provide firearms education services as contracted, and Police will continue to work with the council to ensure ongoing effective delivery of these programmes to the community. We acknowledge the work of the firearms volunteers who have performed this service over many years.”

“The tender process will run independently of the current MSC service delivery, and Police will continue to keep all tenderers informed as appropriate.”

Daisley said that the recent national review of the current system - operated by MSC – revealed that the current system had systemic weaknesses that needed to be addressed by a new delivery model to ensure consistency of training.

“Through our recent review of the current training system, we have refined what we believe to be the best national training model for New Zealand, one that is capable of adapting to the current and future needs of those keen to get a firearms licence.”

“The Mountain Safety Council has safety at the very core of our organisation. This has been the case for over fifty years and this expertise gives us an intimate knowledge of the delivery system, and safety methodologies in general.”

Daisley is clear that until the new system is in place the current system needs to continue to hold demand steady.

“Along with the Police we’re asking the current instructors to continue their delivery of safety training under the current framework until the new system is in place. Any destabilization of the current network will have a long term net loss for the firearms users, and the general public.”

Mountain Safety Council understand that the new system is intended to be in place by early 2017.

NZ Firearms Licencing Process

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