Suddenly New Zealand Becomes Nation Of ‘Sheeple’

Opinion

Farmer and former candidate John Hart is reportedly among New Zealanders who have voluntarily turned over semi-auto firearms in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attack. (Screen snip, YouTube, CBC)

New Zealand – -(AmmoLand.com)- Sheep ranching is big business in New Zealand, but after perusing news coverage in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque attacks, it may be difficult to tell the sheep from the people as some gun owners have voluntarily turned in their semiautomatic rifles to police for destruction?!.

One significant surrender came from farmer John Hart, a former Green Party candidate, according to the Daily Mail. He told a reporter from CNN that he didn’t want the gun falling into the wrong hands, and also sent out a message on twitter:

“Until today I was one of the New Zealanders who owned a semi-automatic rifle. On the farm they are a useful tool in some circumstances, but my convenience doesn’t outweigh the risk of misuse…We don’t need these in our country. We have [to] make sure it’s never again.”—New Zealand farmer John Hart

According to the Daily Mail, he’s not alone. The newspaper reported that, “New Zealanders have begun handing over their semi-automatic weapons to be destroyed as new gun control laws are set to be introduced.” In American gun rights activist parlance, such well-meaning, albeit misguided, folks are often referred to as “sheeple,” a term suggesting they are like sheep, and it is not an expression of endearment.

In the wake of the shooting spree that claimed 50 lives so far, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that there would be new gun restrictions announced within days.

Not surprisingly, U.S.-based gun prohibition lobbying groups moved quickly to exploit the Christchurch tragedy.

One of those organizations, the Seattle-based Alliance for Gun Responsibility, emailed a statement;

“What happened in Christchurch should be a reminder to all of us. This fight to end gun violence isn’t just about our own loved ones, our own communities, or even our own country. It’s a problem that cuts across time and borders. And future generations are counting on us to get it right. To stop it for good.”

What Mr. Hart and his contemporaries didn’t explain was how their firearms might fall into the wrong hands and be misused. If they are responsible gun owners–and there appears no reason to question that–would not those firearms be stored securely unless they were in use, and under the control of their owners?

It appears the suspect in this atrocity legally purchased his firearms, according to various published reports. He didn’t steal them from some careless Kiwi gun owner.

A brief overview of the sheep industry in New Zealand found on Wikipedia says that in 2007, there were an estimated 39 million sheep in the island nation. Some Yank gun rights activists might consider that the “herd” just expanded as humans began voluntarily surrendering their arms, perhaps in some sort of communal expression of guilt and mass remorse.

During a news conference, Prime Minister Ardern told reporters that, “The clear lesson from history around the world is that to make our community safer, the time to act is now.” Yes, it is always best to make decisions in an emotional rush, rather than take a deep breath, step back and allow cooler heads to prevail.

Neither Mr. Hart, nor his law-abiding fellow New Zealanders, opened fire on the worshippers in either mosque. What firearms they happen to own had absolutely nothing to do with the crime that has now placed one man behind bars, charged with murder.

Yet, according to CNN, Hart, who owns 50 acres in Masterton on which he has both sheep and cattle and has owned guns for nearly 20 years, turning in his rifle gave him a “bit of relief.”
New Zealand does not have a Second Amendment, and while there are lots of gun owners, they apparently do not share what anti-gunners would call “America’s gun culture.” Translation: People who own firearms and zealously defend their Second Amendment and state constitutional rights.

Earlier, CNN reported that even with “relatively high gun ownership,” New Zealand has had “relatively few gun-related deaths.” In 2015, the report noted, New Zealand reported 1.24 gun-related homicides per 100,000 people, which is roughly one-tenth the number reported for that year in the United States.

The Blaze reported that Hart turned in gun, magazine and ammunition. It involved the simple completion of a “gun surrender form.” Then he handed it all over to the police.

Second Amendment activists in the U.S. have already warned anti-gun-rights lobbyists against getting their hopes up that anything similar could happen in this country.

RELATED: New Zealand Fallout: Gun Groups Say ‘2A Not Negotiable’


About Dave WorkmanDave Workman

Dave Workman is a senior editor at TheGunMag.com and Liberty Park Press, author of multiple books on the Right to Keep & Bear Arms and formerly an NRA-certified firearms instructor.

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Scotty Gunn

I love all the women, the PM, police,etc donning hijabs (headscarves) in support of the Muslims. Dummies. They are just showing the Muslim men that they submit to them, and are subservient.
When terror attacks by Muslims occur, do Muslims don three piece suits and stand with us ? Heck no. Not one shows up, and many celebrate behind closed doors our tragedy.
Muslims seek a caliphate-take over the world. These sheep herders are letting the wolves into the pen. Sheer idiots, wanting to show the world how “tolerant” they are.

LaRock

There is going to be one hell of a black market for guns over there.

Ian R Reed

Yes the impulse to ban guns is a complete Knee jerk reaction. Crazy.
NZ government who are responsible to the people should, stop-think-relax-and then with the people’s imput decide what should be done.
No criminal will EVER hand in their guns.
Like any and all governments their soul agenda is always to screw the people as “they know best”.
Foolish decision.

Bill

Sure! When honest people turn in their guns or, like this freak Hart, are so unable to monitor what’s happening with their own guns that they are afraid that a terrorist or a child will get a hold of them and so they turn them in, that makes for a nice, peaceful, utterly defenseless country. What could possibly go wrong with that? Gun free zones = low hanging fruit for domestic terrorists. Gun free countries = low hanging fruit for foreign invaders. As with a fire extinguisher, you don’t need to defend yourself every day, but when the need arises… Read more »

JesseJZ

It is “Horrific” what happened in NZ , would the Muslims turn in there
weapons if the mass shooting had been a Christian Church?

Scotty Gunn

Gun control wouldn’t have even been mentioned.

alex

stupid is as stupid does!

Ronald Nuxon

The rare instances (I know, some claim it’s an epidemic) of mass shootings are the only examples of an illegal activity where non-participants ie. law-abiding persons, are mandated to surrender rights and property, all because of the actions of sociopaths or psychopaths. This should clearly be called gross injustice.

Jim Mackey

“New Zealand reported 1.24 gun-related homicides per 100,000 people, which is roughly one-tenth the number reported for that year in the United States.”

Interesting food for thought. If you look at the US on a state-by-state basis, that same figure for New Hampshire is 0.5 gun-related homicides for 100,000 people. Yet New Hampshire’s gun laws are WAY laxer than New Zealand’s. Actually, there are a bunch of states that have lower gun-related homicide rates than New Zealand. Almost as if guns aren’t the problem

Alan

New Zealand has never had a gun homicide rate higher than 0.5/100k. The report that this page links to even gives the correct figure. I’m really not sure why this report here is giving wrong information when it can be easily verified.
“According to figures compiled by the University of Sydney, New Zealand had 0.17 gun-related homicides per 100,000 people in 2015”

1.24 is for any gun deaths, which includes suicide and accidental deaths.
https://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/new-zealand

Lou

Here’s an idea, all those wishing to turn in thier guns, should donate then to the Christians in Nigeria that are being slaughtered by the radical Muslims!! Last I read there’s over 200 killed in less then a week!!
Guess they also failed to realize the false flag likelyhood …
historically it’s proven that gun crimes are more likely thwarted by a citizen with a self protection fire arm, then they are by police!!! Does anyone else see a problem with a police response time of 38 minutes after a supposed shooter is reported???

A.x. Perez

I remember a 1950’s propaganda movie in which the Communists invaded the United States and promised to free us from having to choose. Freedom, true freedom carries responsibilities as well as rights. This gink has proclaimed that he does not wish to accept the responsibility of owning a semi auto rifle.

Give up your choice, let go of your responsibilities, We will all be safer turning these over to the state.
And the sad part is there are people who believe this nonsense.

JDC

I hope New Zealand is teaching Chinese in its elementary and high schools. How will they fight back when China takes a lesson out of the WWII playbook and marches South? The “mighty” NZ armed forces?

Patriot guy

Wow, you are right. But I think the Chinese will use the New Zealand sheeple for servants and slaves, since they are too scared to do anything Hell, they and Australia voted to stay servants of England instead of becoming their own separate country, chickens and sheep! . I worry about the USA, as I have read articles that the Chinese are using the billions we send over there to buy up USA farmland and ranch land! And they send over Chinese spies and undercover agents to America. They have used up their land (China), so now they are eyeing… Read more »

jeff

Let me see…….thousands of people, christians and others beheaded, killed, all in the name of allah? I think the count is a little lopsided? Guess they dont take their bomb vests to worship? Huh. Everyone better protect themselves not UNprotect themselves?

TomZ

The perp in this shooting did not steal the firearms that he used, what does turning your guns in signify nothing. What you stated for the US murder rate is not correct, as 2017 the rate was 5.3 per 100,000, not the 12.40 that your article implies, and further about half of all murders are by firearms.The anti gun people don’t need help with erroneous data.

Tackleberry

I hope the minute a drunk driver kills a family in a mini van they immediatly ban all alchohol from the contry.

It’s only fair.

Jack Mac

I do not see why they allow motor vehicles they can pop gear by themselves roll down a hill to kill people. Besides it is a small island, cars are not needed. Boats would be nice to have and maybe a donkey to carry fresh water.

Patriot guy

This is what happens when you have a hysterical woman politican with PMS saying to events like this you have to ban guns. How exactly will banning guns stop the next maniac? How will citizens be able to protect themselves? With a hankie? Oh boo-hoo, leave me alone. Say, does anyone remember we had WW2 and 100’s of millions of firearms of all type’s were manufactured? A lot of them probably still hidden away. What if the man had driven a semi truck and crashed into the building and ran over people. Would there be a call to ban semi… Read more »

Vincent Brady

The Public Relations Fantasy Team is springing into action! NZ hasn’t even set the buy back amount offered yet.

Laddyboy

“What happened in Christchurch should be a reminder to all of us. This fight to end gun violence isn’t just about our own loved ones, our own communities, or even our own country. It’s a problem that cuts across time and borders. And future generations are counting on us to get it right. To stop it for good.” ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. When the LEGAL LAW ABIDING CITIZENS are DENIED their RIGHT of SELF DEFENSE when their guns are confiscated, ONLY THE LAWLESS WANTON CRIMINALS WILL HAVE GUNS!!! In America, the SUPREME COURT JUDGES have STATED: “Police are NOT RESPONSIBLE to PROTECT… Read more »

Liberty

I wonder if he surrendered his fertilizer since although it can be useful on the farm it can be misused. Also since motor vehicles can be misused did he surrender his and encourage others to do the same? How about matches, lighters and gasoline? This sure is some wrong thinking on his part or anyone that thinks this way, when you accept responsibility for and hold your self accountable for the acts of a madman.

Alan J Janssen

Are all the Muslums going to turn in their guns? It is not a buy-back because the government did not sell the guns in the first place.

joefoam

Hope he enjoys his 15 minutes of fame. that’s all that will be accomplished. NZ folks need to look across the sea to AUS to see the violent black market for guns and the rising incidence of gun violence after their confiscation. There are also reports of gun shops being bought out of inventory prior to any ban, seems that all Kiwis haven’t lost their minds and the ability for cognitive thought. wonder which is true, are Kiwis opposed to firearm possession or is the media reporting false info. I’d lay bets that the MSM is lying to advance their… Read more »

Andrew Anton

If I were a member of a Christian church in New Zealand I would be VERY WARY of attending services in an unarmed building. Does anyone think the ragheads are NOT going to retaliate? Keep herding your sheep, sheep!

BILL

In the US we will hear that every gun in NZ is being turned in, with only a few rabid hold-outs, white trash red necks of course.

DarrellM

Where can I buy those AR’s ?
Should be quite affordable with all that new surplus that is being turned in.

SteveK

STEP-1 in the race to tyranny.

Jim Macklin

In Medieval Times they would burn a wagon if it ran over somebody. The Devil had possessed the wagon ya know!
Today they want to ban Evil Black Rifles [of any color] because they are the DEvil and if you have one you’ll be possessed to murder millions.
You’d think that 400 year old superstitions would not drive law makers?
But the law makers have tyranny in mind. Maybe Schumer, Pelosi, and the leaders in those nations over seas have been possessed by the Devil?

Patriot

Good reply and answer.

Conrad

I hope he turned in his other tools of his trade as well.
All he really needs is a Shepherd’s staff, a couple dogs, and a good pair of shoes.

Frederick James Pack

The perp was not a New Zealander, but an Aussie…so jump on the bandwagon for publicity and punish them.
This fool Green Party butthead turned his in as a stunt Want to get that there is at least one more on his ranch?

Boyd

The drive to celebrate irrationality seems like a tidal wave sometimes.

Parnell

@it’s a problem that cuts across time and borders”. And here I thought these shootings only happen on America.

Running with scissors

What’s really going on here? This guy was a former canadate he didn’t turn in his firearm for safety he did it for publicity.

John

IT IS SIMPLE. They are a democratic socialist country (sound familiar?).

JPM

NZ moron.

Stripeseven

One man… One man…has somehow made everyone responsible for his cowardly actions. Yeah… Lets’ blame everyone for something they didn’t do. When seconds count from here on out, it will only be minutes until someone from the government comes to help. They are experts in using chalk to outline where your body was found. That should make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside..

Laddyboy

AGREED!!!

Notalima

The newspaper reported that, “New Zealanders have begun handing over their freedom to be destroyed as new gun control laws are being prepped with which to sodomize the citizenry with.”

FIFY