Family honours dead gunman

Damage to one of the houses struck by Mr Sime's bullets. Photo / Supplied

A wheelchair-bound gunman's fitness to hold a firearms licence is being investigated, but his family say he was a good person and loving father who overcame adversity.

Shayne Sime, 42, was shot dead by police on Sunday after firing more than 100 rounds from his Christchurch home, wounding a policeman and a neighbour and hitting buildings including a preschool in surrounding streets.

Yesterday his family said: "We do wish to recognise and apologise to other people who were hurt and everyone else affected in the last few days."

It has emerged that Mr Sime, who suffered from a head injury and a spinal disorder that was wasting away his muscles, was drinking, was in a suicidal state and made threats to police.

Mr Sime was a licensed firearms holder, despite criminal convictions in his past. Police were called out to his home in February after reports of a gun being fired on his property, which turned out to be a BB gun.

Two shotguns and a high-powered .308 rifle were found in his house after Sunday's confrontation.

Gun control advocate Philip Alpers warned that New Zealand's liberal gun laws and 10-year licence period meant the country was taking a gamble with gun owners.

"Will this person succumb to all the normal human foibles including alcohol, depression, mental illness, some time during the next 10 years? And the licensing officer has to make that guess."

Mr Sime's family described him yesterday as a much loved son and brother, a loving father of two sons and a good person.

"We loved him and will miss him."

Mr Sime became confined to a wheelchair after suffering head trauma in an accident when he was 24.

"However, his cheeky sense of humour was instrumental in giving him the strength to overcome that adversity," his family said.

Before his accident, Mr Sime was a fisherman and loved his work. He was involved in karate and had almost achieved a black belt.

Mr Sime and his mother were in contact by text message most days. He was texting a relative on Sunday night.

"The family just know they loved him and they will miss him dearly."

Detective Superintendent Brett Kane said police were looking at whether Mr Sime should have held a firearms licence.

He was granted the licence in 2006. He had criminal convictions relating to alcohol and driving, the last in 1990.

Mr Alpers said although many Western countries had tightened up gun ownership and licensing, New Zealand had not. Someone seen by police as a "good bloke" could be considered fit and proper to own guns.

Superintendent Tony McLeod, police national operations manager, said police relied on relatives and the public to express concern about the behaviour of licence holders.

* Gun licensing

To obtain a firearms licence an applicant must be at least 16 and must apply in person to police.

Police must consider whether the person is "fit and proper", and can ensure safe storage of any guns.

Two people who know the applicant will be interviewed on the person's suitability to have a firearms licence and the applicant must pass a firearm safety test.

Police say people who have a history of violence, repeated involvement with drugs, have been irresponsible with alcohol, have a personal or social relationship with an unsuitable person, or an intention to use firearms for self-defence, may find it difficult to satisfy police they are fit and proper