Gun control advocate Kevin Clements remains optimistic about the gun buyback scheme, despite some seller reluctance and talk of legal action.
Prof Clements, of the University of Otago's National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, said yesterday the scheme "definitely does have strong public support".
Last weekend's first collection, held in Christchurch, had been a significant start.
About 250 such buyback events are planned over the next three months.
Prof Clements said 542 weapons had been collected over the first weekend.
If the collection rate remained the same, more than 108,000 weapons would have been handed in after 200 collection points.
"The ideological support for more permissive or less restrictive controls on gun ownership and gun registration/ownership is well organised and vocal but I think that it's still very much a minority position.
"Most New Zealanders do not own guns and have no desire to do so.
"They are happy that the most lethal will be removed from circulation," he added.
Radio New Zealand reported fewer people had turned up to sell their firearms last Sunday, on the second day of the first weapons buyback.
Prof Clements said he was not discouraged by the fall in participation in the buyback on Sunday, or by comments by the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners that it would oppose the law change and the buyback scheme.
