A firearms owners group is urging MPs not to be overly heavy handed when considering potential new rules for gun ownership.

The point's been pushed by the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners to Parliament's Law and Order Select committee, which is conducting an inquiry into illegal firearm possession.

Council President Paul Clark said firearm owners shouldn't be demonised just because they do a sport that some people don't like.

He said they get bad press because, occasionally, someone is shot in a hunting accident.

"But hey - how many people are killed playing rugby every year? You don't see any bad press on that, but dead is dead, whether you die from a bullet, or a broken neck in a rugby pack."

He's adamantly against introducing a firearms register, saying it's not worked anywhere in the world.

"What do you achieve? Nothing. You waste a lot of money, Canada have wasted over a billion, and achieved nothing."

Clark said drugs are the main, but not the only driver, in the increase of illegal firearms because of the huge profits drugs generated for those in the trade, and associated turf wars.

Gun owner Gerard Philips said lax importing controls need to be addressed because weapons can be concealed in imported cars.

"Cars from the USA should be carefully scrutinised, manpower needs to be increased at the ports."

A properly funded police buy-back scheme has been floated by Gerard Philips for people wanting to dispose of illegal firearms.

"It will entice a number of individuals, especially family members who inherit illegal arms, to offer them up for cash."

"Dealers could offer to buy the guns at market rates, and on-sell accordingly as legal arms."