CEO of the Mountain Safety Council Mike Daisley says the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) joins a groundswell of organisations expressing solidarity with the Muslim community of New Zealand.

“On behalf of the MSC I’d like to extend our sincere condolences to the families caught up in this horrific incident.”

“We condemn the actions of the accused and stand in support of the Muslim community as they begin the process of grieving this terrifying incident that has deeply shaken this country.”

MSC supports Prime Minister Ardern’s statement saying that the government will be seeking an examination of the systems currently in place to ensure communities are as safe as possible with respect to firearms ownership.

“Reform of some kind would seem the logical next step and we support the government in their review to establish what measures need to be put in place to ensure this never happens on New Zealand soil again," said Daisley.

For over fifty years MSC’s role has been to understand and promote safe land-based outdoor recreation, of which Hunting in its various forms is covered along with activities like Tramping, Mountaineering, Backcountry Snowsports, Mountain Biking and Trail Running.

“With regard to the current firearms licensing system, MSC functions as a contractor to the NZ Police. Through our instructors around the country, we deliver classroom-based practical ‘face-to-face’ firearms safety lesson component with deactivated firearms for new applicants," said Daisley.

The material covered in the sessions is primarily focused on practical skills that ensure firearms are able to be used safely in a general hunting, farming or sporting context. The curriculum is geared towards a practical understanding of the seven firearms safety rules.

“It’s important for me to reiterate that MSC provides an important but limited component of the firearms licensing system that as a whole is administered by NZ Police," Daisley concluded.

Questions on the nature of the system, access to firearms, storage and potential licensing or categorisation changes should be directed to the NZ Police media team.

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