Should the firearms prohibition order regime be expanded to cover more gang-related offences and give police a new power to search people subject to such orders to check compliance?
This omnibus bill amends the existing firearms prohibition order (FPO) regime by widening the offences that can trigger an order, creating a process to vary or revoke orders, and adding a police search power to monitor compliance under the Search and Surveillance Act 2012.
⚡ Taken under urgency
Parliament advanced this bill under urgency (first reading) — moving it through faster than usual, with less time than normal for public submissions.
MPs’ arguments for and against the bill
Why support it
Supporters argued the bill gives police a practical tool to keep illegally held firearms away from gang members and other high-risk offenders, addressing gang-related violence and intimidation.
Supporters said the new search power is limited to checking compliance with an order, requires reasonable grounds to believe a person is subject to one, and misuse could be ruled unreasonable under the Bill of Rights.
Supporters noted the bill allows people subject to an order to apply to have it varied or revoked after five years if they no longer pose a risk, recognising rehabilitation.
Why oppose it
Opponents argued the warrantless search power is too broad, allowing repeated entry into homes at any time without any suspicion of a breach, only a purpose of checking.
Opponents said searches based on an officer's reasonable belief that someone is subject to an order—rather than confirmation—could lead to overreach, including against people who hold no order.
Opponents contended the existing firearms prohibition order regime already addresses high-risk people's access to firearms, so the additions duplicate current law and target gangs symbolically.
These are claims MPs made in Parliament’s debate — not verified facts.
Full bill summary & link to official bill page
This omnibus bill strengthens the firearms prohibition order (FPO) regime — court orders that bar high-risk people from being around firearms. It widens the offences that can trigger an FPO to capture more gang- and organised-crime-related offending across several Acts, creates a process for a person to apply to vary or revoke their order at its midpoint, and adds a Police search power to check compliance. Notably, an officer with reasonable grounds to believe someone is subject to an FPO could search them without needing to suspect an actual breach. It affects gang members and serious offenders, existing FPO holders, and Police and courts.
It builds on the FPO regime first introduced in 2022 and reflects a coalition focus on gangs and firearms. Supporters argue it keeps guns away from dangerous offenders and gives Police practical monitoring tools. Critics, including civil-liberties groups, warn that the warrantless “no cause” search power is intrusive, risks arbitrary use, and will disproportionately affect Māori.