The Police Minister says people should follow the letter of the law when it comes to the new gun buyback scheme.

There have been concerns around people choosing not to hand in their guns because they're concerned about the price they'll get.

Stuart Nash told Mike Hosking the penalties for doing this would be severe.

“Those who hold on to the now-illegal guns and disobey the law face up to five years in jail.”

Nash says if a gun owner disputes the price, they can't leave again without handing the gun in.

At this stage, Nash says he has no idea how many guns will be handed in, because there is no register of any kind.