NEW ZEALAND SHOWS WHY THE UNITED STATES SHOULD GET RID OF FIREARMS LICENSES AND GUN REGISTRIES

A recent police operation in New Zealand resulted in the revocation of firearms licenses from 62 individuals connected to the Sovereign Citizens movement. The movement, which rejects the authority of the government, was flagged by the Police Security Intelligence and Threats Group during an investigation aimed at assessing potential threats to law enforcement personnel. The operation, known as Operation Belfast, identified 158 firearm license holders influenced by Sovereign Citizen ideologies, with 62 having their licenses revoked for failing to meet the legal standards under the Arms Act.

Sovereign Citizens, often referred to as SovCits, believe they are not subject to government laws and regulations, which has caused growing concern among law enforcement. Police National Intelligence director Dr. Dan Wildy explained that the operation focused on ensuring police officers were not at risk when engaging with those holding firearm licenses. Of the identified group, some voluntarily surrendered their licenses, while others had their licenses revoked or were under review.

The operation was partly driven by findings from a 2021 police intelligence report, which highlighted the potential for violent extremism motivated by Sovereign Citizen beliefs. Although no charges were laid in most cases, the revocation of licenses was seen as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of spontaneous acts of violence against government authorities during routine legal or regulatory enforcement.

COMMENTARY:

The New Zealand case of firearms licenses being revoked from Sovereign Citizen movement members offers a clear warning against implementing gun licensing and registration schemes in the U.S. The core issue is the potential for government overreach, where individuals can be targeted based on their political beliefs or affiliations rather than any actual criminal behavior. In New Zealand, the revocations occurred without criminal charges in most instances, suggesting that political ideology alone can be sufficient grounds for losing the right to bear arms under such a scheme.

This situation illustrates how licensing and registration create a system where the government has significant control over who is deemed “fit” to own firearms, which could lead to biased or politically motivated decisions. In the U.S., where the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, introducing licensing could undermine that constitutional protection by giving the government too much discretion. If such policies were adopted, it could allow authorities to selectively revoke gun rights from groups or individuals based on ideologies or perceived risks, eroding the fundamental freedoms that Americans hold dear.

Ultimately, the New Zealand example shows that licensing and registration systems can easily become tools of control, where subjective judgment plays too large a role in determining who can exercise their rights. To preserve liberty and prevent potential government overreach, the U.S. should avoid following similar paths when it comes to firearm ownership.

ARTICLE:

https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/350415010/over-60-sovcits-lose-their-firearms-licences-intelligence-op


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