ACT stands with licenced firearms owners at election

You may have seen the announcement yesterday of ACT's first 49 candidates for this year's election. I wanted you to know that we are standing at least eight licenced firearms owners, with more candidates to be announced soon. The New Zealand Herald covered our announcement below.

www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article/

This shows ACT’s commitment to restoring the rights and dignity of law-abiding firearms owners. Some of our LFO candidates are long time ACT supporters who’ve stood for the party before. Others came to the Party because of its stance, liked what they saw, and decided to stand for us publicly.

“The more Party Votes ACT attracts, the more of our list candidates will be in Parliament after September 19, and the more leverage we will have to bring real change.”

Licenced firearms owners are often sensibly private about their ownership, but some are going on record identifying themselves as firearms owners standing for ACT. Three of them are profiled below.

Robert Andrews (Taieri Electorate) has worked as a professional shooter and hunter for over 30 years and is involved in pest eradication in the lower South Island. This has included work for the Pest Board, private contract pest control, venison recovery, TBfree monitoring and survey contracts. Robert also uses firearms recreationally as a hunter, as a member of a pistol club, and in competition. He placed in the top ten for his category at the 2018 world championships, and is a collector of historical firearms.

Dr James McDowall (Waikato Electorate) is a member of two Waikato pistol clubs. James has a deep interest in historical firearms and has his own small collection. He is a long time ACT member, former member of the Party Board, and has led the development of ACT’s firearm policy since last year.

Mike McCormick (Takanini Electorate) enjoys shooting sports and has spent numerous years pursuing competitive target shooting. In his words “Following the national tragedy that occurred on March 15, 2019, our Parliament capitulated in the face of terrorism. The political landscape in New Zealand needs to change. We must vote for a political party that believes in defending and promoting the ideals of individual freedom and liberty and private property rights.”

Of course, you don’t have to be in any of these electorates to vote for these candidates or any other particular candidate. Outside the Epsom Electorate we are seeking the Party Vote. The more Party Votes ACT attracts, the more of our list candidates will be in Parliament after September 19, and the more leverage we will have to bring real change.

“Licenced firearms owners are often sensibly private about their ownership, but some are going on record identifying themselves as firearms owners standing for ACT.”

Through all the upheaval of the past two months, as a Party, we have not lost sight of our nation’s tragedy in Christchurch last year, the Government’s ineffective and insulting response to it, or the need to reform our firearm laws.

Our final policy will be announced closer to the election, in the wake of the ‘second tranche’ of firearm laws currently before Parliament.

In the meantime, our current policy is here and I appreciate your support.

Yours sincerely,

David Seymour

MP for Epsom, ACT Leader

www.fairfirearmlaws.act.org.nz