Police still looking for guns allegedly stolen from police station

The 11 guns allegedly stolen from a police station are continuing to elude police. "The investigation into this incident remains ongoing. Eleven firearms remain unaccounted for," the police told the Herald today. Alan James Harris, 38, has been charged with burglary over the disappearance of the guns from the Palmerston North Police Station on Thursday. No-one else had been charged over the incident, the police said today. They have previously appealed for public help in tracking down the missing guns. The missing weapons were not police firearms; they were being held as exhibits or had been handed in for destruction. The embarrassing loss occurred while gun owners are surrendering military-style semi-automatics (MSSAs) and assault rifles nationally as part of a Government buy-back scheme following the Christchurch mosque shootings. MSSAs and assault rifles were banned in rapid law changes after the March 15 shootings. An amnesty for handing in the weapons is operating until the end of September. When the buy-back was announced, Police Minister Stuart Nash sought police assurance they had strong processes for handling the firearms. Police said at the time they were confident they could manage the collection of the guns. Following the alleged station burglary, Nash has sought a new assurance. Police Commissioner Mike Bush has demanded an investigation into how Harris was allegedly able to get into the Palmerston North station. Stations' firearms security nationwide is also being reviewed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.