Uneasy shopkeepers ready to arm themselves

Frightened shopkeepers have turned to a gun store for advice about guns, pepper spray and even a bulletproof vest.

The spate of requests follows the high-profile murder of Manurewa liquor store owner Navtej Singh and Friday's stabbing of 55-year-old Auckland lotto shop owner Shashikat Premar. He is in a stable condition in Auckland Hospital.

The incident happened on the day police told retailers to use common sense when defending themselves after a 40-year-old man stabbed in a fight outside his liquor store was arrested and charged with assault. Virender Singh, 40, appeared in Manukau District Court on Friday to face two counts of assault with intent to injure. He was remanded on bail until October 23.

Greg Carvell, the co-owner of Penrose gun shop Small Arms International, said: "They are coming in saying, 'What can we do? What can we get?"'.

He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after he shot Ricky Beckham in the stomach. The charge was dismissed last year.

Carvell says many businesspeople are feeling "vulnerable". And while they trusted police "it's unrealistic to expect anyone but yourself and the people around you to protect you in that one-on-one crucial moment."

But Auckland University criminal law professor Warren Brookbanks says there are "real hazards" when lay people arm themselves.

The law allows for people to use "whatever weapon is at hand" when facing a threat or death but it is illegal to carry any weapon in anticipation of a threat.

- © Fairfax NZ News