Manhunt in New Zealand For Man Who Stole 11 Guns From Police Buyback

Central District Police are searching for a gun thief. 38-year-old Alan James Harris is the primary suspect and he has been on the police radar previously.  “I urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward to police. A warrant for his arrest has been issued. He should not be approached,” RadioNZ quoted acting regional police commander Sarah Stewart.

“Eleven firearms which were in an exhibit storage area are currently unaccounted for. I should be clear that these were not police firearms, but were a range of weapons being held as exhibits or handed in for destruction.

NZ  Parliament  passed laws demanding that guns be  turned in to police in a buy back scheme after the horrific massacre last month.  Gun owners were given until September to comply.

How effective the demand to turn in guns will be was uncertain since New Zealand doesn’t have strict registration laws.