PERMITS FOR FIREARMS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3386, 15 January 1920, Page 6

PERMITS FOR FIREARMS.

SALES BEING CONTROLLED. 4 As an Outcome of instructions relmcentlv issued the police in C'anterbury "jam closing down, as far as possible, on the issue of permits for ‘the purchase of firearms, and ammunition. . ‘Dozens of applicatioiis for permits are now being refused. The poi-mi't system I introduced early in the wal'.’/providecl I that no person was to be supplied un—less he pre.s;.ell~ted a. permit issued by the police. These 'permil:s were issued fairly freely, but applications had always to be made in person, and the ‘issuing oflicer satisfied himslelf as to the applic:lnt’s bona-fides. Also permits were frequently withheld when the applicant was desirous of purchasing a revolver. It was not considered advisable tlvat. revolvers should be scattered broadcast over the civilian population. This system gives the Co[Vernment some powfelry of control over the distribution of arms mid :ammun—lition, and "it also serves as 3. record, i for a duplicate is ‘kept of every permit issued. In time of ill’tel'D'Ell trouble this record would be found useful. but while it covers the cities well, the permit system does not keep trace of ammunition issued in the country. Possibly it is intended to do so, but it does not. No reason is given for this new “tightening up” on the issue of per-mi-fs. The ordinary sportsman who goes out ~af'ter mbbitg has now diniculty in securing ammunition, alrliough professional rabbiters are being Heat-, ed as fol'lil<>l'l}'. Farmers, too, havei not the same difl"iculty in obtainin~;:; supplies as have town and city dwel—l lers, but ammunition is now supposed to be available only for essential pm--= poses. !