Copyright 1996-2002, Council of Licensed Firearms Owners.

Council of Licensed Firearms Owners
Date: 8 July 2001

New Zealand firearms owners are outraged at the appointment of a gun-control activist to advise a government delegation.

Minister of Disarmament Matt Robson has approved Philip Alpers as the NGO adviser to the NZ delegation attending a UN conference on small arms. The conference, called to deal with the illicit trade in small arms, is being held in New York from 9 to 20 July.

Council chairman John Howat says that; "Mr Alpers relationships with international anti-gun organisations disqualify him as a suitable person to advise our Government on this issue.

"The original intent of the conference was to curb the illicit trade in firearms" said Mr Howat, "we agree with that, but extreme gun control outfits now want the UN to ban the possession of all guns."

The conference should realise that it is Governments rather than sportsmen who are responsible for the vast majority of shooting deaths and conflicts.

New Zealand firearm owners support UN moves to restrict the possession of firearms to suitably qualified individuals and democratic Governments.

ENDS.

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