The Attorney-General is raising concerns about unsafe clubs and ranges amid a spat over proposed new gun rules.
Licensed gun owners are concerned about the rules which are set to come into place in June.
New sections of the Arms Act 2020 will require shooting clubs and ranges to be approved and certified by police. The new rules are part of regulations brought in in response to the Christchurch terror attack.
The rules also include the potential banning of the use of guns in shooting ranges for those under 16, meaning a parent could take their child out on a farm to teach them to shoot but couldn't take them to a range. Police are currently seeking consultation on the proposed changes.
Speaking with AM on Friday Attorney-General David Parker said he wants more information before deciding his point of view, but raised concerns about safety at clubs.
"I don't accept the view that all gun clubs have been responsible... I will reserve my judgement until I know a bit more about it," he told AM.
The Christchurch terrorist was a member of the Otago Shooting Sports Rifle and Pistol Club and the Bruce Rifle Club.
The Bruce Rifle club closed shortly after the attack amid allegations a man who visited saw confederate flags lining the walls and members strolling around in camouflage gear and rank insignia. The man, who only visited once, also said a member told him he was preparing for the oncoming migration of Muslim people.
But gun advocates have raised concerns about the new rules saying removing young people from ranges will see them miss out on key gun safety.
Council of Licenced Firearms Owners spokesperson Hugh Devereux-Mack told AM on Friday ranges are key to teaching and ensuring safety.
"The benefit of being at a range is that you are not only surrounded by expert instructors who can make sure that you get the formal education required to use firearms safely, but you also have the culture of safety that is present at all firearms clubs.
"We have a very low rate of injuries in our sport specifically because of how we treat our guns and each other."
Devereux-Mack said firearm safety is something everyone should have a basic understanding of.
He said forcing clubs to be certified will add more red tape and could see smaller, volunteer-run ranges close.
Devereux-Mack said while the vast majority of clubs operate safely, he can't say everyone does because there are so many across the country.
The proposed changes are also raising concerns in the rural sector.
Federated Farmers Dairy Chairman Wayne Langford told AM Early children on farms are often taught to shoot at a young age to help out.
"Firearms [are] used for the likes of pest control or maybe putting down an unwell animal… And that's often involved in kids' lives from an early age.
"So there is a bit of concern there that the removal of proper training at the likes of a gun range could detriment country kids and gun safety as a whole within the rural sector.
"[Ranges] are a big part of confidence with guns and often mums and dads realise that they can't teach their kids everything or they need someone with a stricter hand that has some real knowledge in that space."
It's a view shared by National Deputy leader Nicola Willis, who was joining Parker on AM.
Willis said the proposed changes are targeting the wrong people.
"It's really bad to create rules that are designed for the worst of society and don't allow people to take personal responsibility."
Willis said rural families who take their children to gun clubs are part of a community and exercise responsibility.
Correction: A quote has been removed from this article about Waldronville gun club after David Parker corrected his statement due to a factual error.
