Tom Phillips' firearms licence revoked before second disappearance

Police records released under the Official Information Act show Tom Phillips' firearms licence was suspended following his 2021 disappearance. The licence was later revoked after he was deemed not a fit and proper person to hold a gun. Phillips was shot dead by police on 8 September 2025.
How they headlined it
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1News via RNZTom Phillips' gun licence revoked months before second disappearance (opens in new tab)
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Otago Daily TimesPhillips not fit to hold firearms licence, police docs show (opens in new tab)
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The Post via RNZAlso on Waikato Times (opens in new tab), The Press (opens in new tab), Stuff (opens in new tab), RNZ (opens in new tab)