Police outside the semi-automatic firearms buyback and amnesty event in Tauranga today. Photo / Caroline Fleming
The first of two prohibited semi-automatic firearms buyback and amnesty events is underway in Tauranga.
The event at Baypark's Stadium Lounge runs from 9am to 1pm, starting today and finishing up on Sunday.
Senior Sergeant Chris Summerville said more than 105 people had come through the doors this morning alone to hand in firearms.
Police were expecting large numbers this weekend.
He said it had been a success so far and everyone had been receptive.
The event is part of the Government's amnesty and buyback scheme under the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Parts and Magazines) Amendment Act 2019.
Buyback and amnesty events have been taking place in the Bay of Plenty since July 19 and will continue until September 29.
A Tauranga man, who had been in to hand in some firearm parts, said the lines were extremely long inside.
When asked why he came down today, he said there were so many firearms out there that were not necessary.
A lot of "older fellas" had old firearms locked in their cupboards that they no longer needed and it was the right thing to bring them down, he said.
Bay of Plenty police operations support manager Ed Van Den Broek said he encouraged people to come down to the events and not leave the hand in until the "last minute".
He said it had been a successful morning in Tauranga and police expected the large numbers to continue through the weekend.
In one event in Te Puke earlier this month, more than 1000 guns and accessories or parts were handed in.
The collected weapons will be shredded in Te Puke, which has one of just two of the country's plants being used to destroy surrendered weapons.
The second Tauranga event will be from September 27 to 29 at the same place.
More details about the buyback scheme are on the New Zealand police website.
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