High-level moves to figure out how powerful firearms are making their way into the hands of dangerous criminals are set to get underway within days.
Police Minister Judith Collins told Newshub today she expects the Law and Order Select Committee to begin investigating this week, and if they don't, she's got her own plans to get the ball rolling.
It's the arsenal that left New Zealanders and the police officers who found it, astounded.
More than a dozen high-powered, military-style assault rifles found stashed in a south Auckland ceiling last week.
"I think the arsenal of weapons that we've seen would've sent shockwaves around most New Zealanders," says Police Minister Judith Collins.
The issue hits close to home for Ms Collins.
Four of her officers were shot near Kawerau on Wednesday.
And both Thursday's gun haul and yesterday's fatal shooting of 26-year-old Shon Wanahi happened in her electorate of Papakura.
Now she wants to know how guns are getting into the hands of criminals -- and hopes a select committee inquiry will be the next step to finding the answers.
"Given that some members have already talked to me about it, I think it's a smart thing, and I expect something will come out this week," says Ms Collins.
It would be up to the select committee itself to decide whether to investigate, but Collins says if it doesn't, she'll start her own ministerial inquiry.
Usually a staunch opponent, Labour's Stuart Nash is already on board with the minister on this issue.
"We need to understand much better the role guns are playing in society at the moment," says Mr Nash.
"That's why Judith Collins and I have been talking and we'll work closely together on an inquiry into the role of guns in society to see if we can really make a difference and make some changes here."
Police Association President Greg O'Connor fears if action isn't taken soon officers may find themselves lesser-equipped than the criminals.
There's an arms race going on out there. And it's the arms race between the criminals. And police are nowhere to be found in that arms race," says Mr O'Connor.
The Minister is also looking at Australian state laws that allow police to search the properties of serious offenders without a search warrant, and expects to hear about policy options soon.
Both National and Labour say any inquiry into gun availability would need significant work on its terms of reference, and stress any changes wouldn't affect those who use firearms for the likes of hunting or sport.
Newshub.
