New Zealand Acts

ARMS ACT 1983

- As at 2 March 2025
- Act 44 of 1983

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   1.      Short Title and commencement

   PART 1 - Preliminary provisions
   Note

   1A.     Purposes of this Act
   2.      Interpretation
   2A.     Meaning of prohibited firearm
   2B.     Meaning of prohibited magazine
   2C.     Meaning of prohibited part
   2D.     Meaning of prohibited ammunition
   3.      Act to bind the Crown
   3A.     Transitional, savings, and related provisions
   4.      Power to declare weapons to be restricted weapons or specially dangerous airguns
   4A.     Persons who may apply to import, manufacture, sell, supply, possess, or use prohibited items

   PART 2 - Licensed dealers
   Note
   Note

   5.      Dealers to be licensed
   5A.     Application for dealer’s licence
   5B.     Issue of dealer’s licence
   5C.     On-site theatrical armourers to supervise firearms use in certain cases
   6.      Fit and proper person to hold dealer’s licence
   6A.     Conditions of dealer’s licence
   6B.     Special condition of dealer’s licence relating to manufacture of firearms, etc
   6C.     Breach of conditions to which dealer’s licence is subject
   7.      Place of business
   7A.     Gun shows
   8.      Duration of dealer’s licence
   8A.     Renewal of dealer’s licence
   8B.     Surrender of dealer’s licence
   8C.     Effect of expiry or surrender of dealer’s licence
   9.      Revocation of dealer’s licence
   9A.     Revocation of suspended dealer’s licence
   9B.     Effect of revocation of dealer’s licence
   10.     Restriction on possession of prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines, pistols, restricted weapons, and pistol carbine conversion kits
   11.     Employees of licensed dealer to hold firearms licence bearing appropriate endorsements
   12.     Record of dealings by licensed dealers
   13.     Seizure of items held by licensed dealer
   14.     Disposal of items of dealer if licence expires or is surrendered or revoked
   15.     Offence to carry on dealer activities following expiry, surrender, or revocation of dealer's licence

   PART 3 - Permits to import
   Note
   Note

   16.     Offence to import firearms, etc, without permit
   16A.    Offence to import prohibited ammunition
   17.     Burden of proof
   18.     Issue of permit to import firearms, etc
   18AA.   Issue of permit to import pistol carbine conversion kits
   18AAB.  Issue of permit to import air pistol carbine conversion kits
   18AAC.  Revocation and validity of permit to import
   18AAD.  Permit to import issued for items to be brought or sent into New Zealand in single consignment or multiple consignments
   18A.    Expiry of permits to import
   18B.    Production of samples
   18C.    Export of specified items not corresponding with sample or otherwise approved for importation
   19.     Seizure of illegally imported items

   PART 4 - General restrictions
   Note
   Note

   19A.    Restriction on possession of prohibited firearms and prohibited magazines
   19B.    Restriction on possession of prohibited parts
   19C.    Restriction on possession of pistols and restricted weapons
           Note
   20.     Restriction on possession of non-prohibited firearms
   21.     Restrictions on possession of airguns
   22.     Exemptions
   22A.    Restriction on possession of non-prohibited magazines and non-prohibited parts
   22B.    Restriction on possession of ammunition
           Note
   22C.    Restrictions on possession of pistol carbine conversion kits
           Note
   22D.    Restrictions on selling or supplying ammunition
   22E.    Ammunition seller to keep record of ammunition sales
           Note
   22F.    Visitors may not take ownership of firearm or restricted weapon
           Note
   22G.    Restriction on manufacture of prohibited items
   22H.    Persons disqualified from holding firearms licence

   PART 5 - Firearms licences, endorsements, and permits to possess
   Note
   Note

   23.     Application for firearms licence
   24.     Issue of firearms licence
   24A.    Fit and proper person to possess firearm or airgun
   24B.    General conditions of firearms licence
   24C.    Special condition of firearms licence relating to sale or supply of ammunition
   24D.    Breach of conditions to which firearms licence is subject
   25.     Duration of firearms licence
   25A.    Application for new firearms licence made by holder of current licence
   26.     Production of firearms licence
   27.     Surrender and revocation of firearms licence
   27A.    Family violence and firearms licences
   27B.    Revocation and surrender of licence if holder becomes disqualified
   27C.    Revocation of suspended firearms licence
   28.     Effect of revocation or surrender of firearms licence
           Note
   29.     Application for endorsements in respect of pistol or restricted weapon
   30.     Power to make endorsement in respect of pistols or restricted weapons
   30A.    Application for endorsement in respect of prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine
   30B.    Power to make endorsement in respect of prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine
   31.     Possession of firearm, pistol, prohibited item, or restricted weapon for stage, film, or television purposes
   31A.    Conditions of endorsements
   32.     Further conditions of endorsements in respect of pistols and restricted weapons
   33.     Revocation of endorsements
   33A.    Further conditions of endorsement in respect of prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine
   33B.    Revocation of endorsement in respect of prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine
   33C.    Duration of endorsements
   34.     Notification of change of address
           Note
   34A.    Power to require or take photographs of applicants
   34B.    Effect of non-compliance with requirements in relation to photographs or to calling-in of licences
           Note
   35.     Issue of permit to possess pistol or restricted weapon
   35AAA.  Issue of permit to possess pistol carbine conversion kit
   35A.    Issue of permit to possess prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine
   36.     Offence to carry pistol, prohibited firearm, prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon without authority
   37.     Surrender of restricted weapon
   38.     Removal of pistol, prohibited firearm, prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon out of New Zealand

   PART 6 - Shooting clubs and shooting ranges
   Note

   38A.    Interpretation
           Note
   38B.    Shooting club must have certificate of approval
   38C.    Shooting club must be incorporated society if ammunition or firearms sold on its behalf
   38D.    Application to have shooting club approved
   38E.    Commissioner may make inquiries and request further information
   38F.    Decision on application for certificate of approval
   38G.    Issue of certificate of approval
   38H.    Duration of certificate of approval
   38I.    Cancellation of certificate of approval
   38J.    Club may have to reapply for certificate of approval
   38K.    Annual reports
           Note
   38L.    Shooting ranges must be certified
   38M.    Application to have shooting range certified
   38N.    Commissioner may make inquiries and request further information
   38O.    Decision on application to have shooting range certified
   38P.    Grant of certification
   38Q.    Certification granted subject to conditions
   38R.    Duration of certification
   38S.    Cancellation of certification
   38T.    Renewal of certification
           Note
   38U.    Inspections of shooting clubs and shooting ranges
   38V.    Improvement notices
   38W.    Temporary suspension of shooting club’s operations pending possible cancellation of certificate of approval
   38X.    Temporary suspension of shooting range’s operations pending possible cancellation of certification
           Note
   39.     Loss, theft, or destruction
   40.     Person in possession of firearm, etc, must give identifying information to Police
   41.     Powers of Police to require surrender of airguns or antique firearms

   PART 7 - Direct access by certain government agencies to registry
   Note

   38Y.    Interpretation
   38Z.    Relationship between this Part and other law
   38ZA.   Direct access to licence information
   38ZB.   Direct access to import and export information recorded in registry
   38ZC.   Direct access must be in accordance with direct access agreement
   38ZD.   Matters to which Ministers must have regard before entering into direct access agreement
   38ZE.   Consultation before entering into direct access agreement
   38ZF.   Content of direct access agreements
   38ZG.   Variation of direct access agreement
   38ZH.   Publication of direct access agreements

   PART 7A - Firearms prohibition orders
   Note

   39.     Interpretation
   39A.    When FPO may be made
   39B.    Effect of FPO
   39C.    Standard conditions of FPO
   39D.    Varying or modifying standard conditions of FPO
   39E.    Special conditions of FPO
   39F.    Commencement and duration of FPO
   39FA.   Varying, modifying, or revoking FPOs
   39G.    Varying, modifying, or replacing FPO on subsequent conviction
   39H.    Appeal against decision to make or not make FPO is appeal against sentence

   PART 8 - Offences
   Note
   Note

   42.     Offences in respect of licences
   42A.    Offence to breach firearms prohibition order
   42B.    Offence to supply firearms, etc, to person subject to firearms prohibition order
   43.     Selling or supplying firearm or airgun to unlicensed person
   43AA.   Selling or supplying prohibited ammunition
   43A.    Mail order or Internet sale of arms items or ammunition
   43B.    Restriction on sales of ammunition
   44.     Selling or supplying pistol or restricted weapon to person who does not hold permit to import or permit to possess
   44AA.   Unlawful sale or supply of pistol carbine conversion kit
   44A.    Offence to sell or supply prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine
   44B.    Offence to sell or supply prohibited part
   45.     Carrying or possessing firearms, etc, except for lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose
   46.     Carrying of imitation firearm, except for lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose
   47.     Being in charge of firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon while under the influence of drink or drug
   48.     Discharging firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon in or near dwellinghouse or public place
   49.     Using, discharging, or carrying certain firearms except for some lawful, proper, or sufficient purpose
   49A.    Unlawful possession of firearm, prohibited magazine, prohibited part, or airgun after revocation of firearms licence
   50.     Unlawful possession of pistol or restricted weapon
   50AA.   Unlawful possession of pistol carbine conversion kit
   50A.    Unlawful possession of prohibited firearm
   50B.    Unlawful possession of prohibited magazine
   50C.    Unlawful possession of prohibited part
   50CA.   Unlawful possession of prohibited ammunition
   50D.    Unlawfully carrying or possessing prohibited firearm in public place
   51.     Unlawful carriage or possession in public place of firearm, airgun, pistol, ammunition, explosive, or restricted weapon
   51A.    Presenting prohibited firearm at other person
   52.     Presenting firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon at other person
   53.     Careless use of firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon
   53A.    Use or attempted use of prohibited firearm to resist or prevent arrest or commit offence
   54.     Use or attempted use of airgun, etc, to resist or prevent arrest or commit offence
   54A.    Carrying prohibited firearm with criminal intent
   55.     Carrying firearm, etc, with criminal intent
   55A.    Offence to assemble prohibited firearm
   55B.    Offence of failing to produce prohibited firearm, etc, on demand or to permit inspection of prohibited firearm, etc
   55C.    Offence of failing to produce firearm other than pistol, restricted weapon, or prohibited firearm on demand or to permit inspection of firearm
   55D.    Offences relating to illegal manufacturing of certain arms items
   55E.    Offences relating to illegal trafficking of firearms, parts, or ammunition
   55F.    Offences relating to falsifying firearm markings
   55G.    Offences relating to removing or altering firearm markings
   55H.    Extraterritorial jurisdiction for offences against section 55D, 55E, 55F, or 55G
   55I.    Attorney-General’s consent required
   56.     Obstruction of member of Police
   57.     Offences committed by corporations
   58.     Reporting of injuries caused by firearms, airguns, pistols, or restricted weapons
   58A.    Offences relating to registry
   59.     Unsafe firearms or pistols

   PART 9 - Miscellaneous provisions
   Note
   Note

   59AAA.  Marking of firearms
           Note
   59A.    Surrender by licensed dealer of firearms, etc
   59B.    Voluntary delivery to Police of firearms, etc
   60.     Improvement notices
   60A.    Temporary suspension of licence pending possible revocation
   60B.    Effect of temporary suspension of firearms licence
   60C.    Effect of temporary suspension of dealer’s licence
           Note
   60.     Search of suspected persons and seizure of firearms, airguns, pistols, imitation firearms, restricted weapons, ammunition, or explosives
   60A.    Search of suspected persons and seizure of firearms in cases of domestic violence
   61.     Search of land or buildings for firearms, airguns, pistols, imitation firearms, restricted weapons, ammunition, or explosives
   62.     Right of review of official decisions
   62A.    How review to be conducted
   62B.    Right of appeal to District Court
   62C.    Further provisions relating to appeals
   63.     Appeal to District Court Judge in respect of compensation
   64.     Appeal on a question of law
   65.     Restoration of articles seized
           Note
   65A.    Interpretation
   65B.    Power to authorise foreign personal protection officer to carry and have possession of firearms, etc
   65C.    Power to permit temporary importation of firearms, etc, by foreign personal protection officer
   65D.    Grounds for issue of written authority or written permit
   65E.    Conditions of written authority or written permit
   65F.    Inspections
   65G.    Power to revoke
   65H.    Expiry of sections 65A to 65G
           Note
   65I.    Duration of licences extended because of COVID-19 outbreak
   66.     Occupier of premises or driver of vehicle deemed to be in possession of firearm, airgun, pistol, imitation firearm, restricted weapon, prohibited magazine, or explosive found therein
   66A.    Loss, theft, or destruction of firearm, etc
   66B.    Person in possession of firearm, etc, must give identifying information to Police
   66C.    Powers of Police to require surrender of airguns or antique firearms
   66D.    Obligations of owner or operator of craft temporarily visiting New Zealand and carrying firearms, etc
   67.     Liability of principal for acts of agent, etc
   68.     Time for prosecutions not limited
   69.     Forfeitures
   70.     Authorising disposal of firearms, etc, detained by Police
   71.     Protection of persons acting under authority of this Act
   72.     Delegation of powers by Commissioner
   72A.    Service of documents
   73.     Savings in respect of carriers and persons authorised to exercise powers of seizure
   74.     Regulations
   74A.    Order in Council relating to definitions of prohibited firearm and prohibited magazine, and declaring prohibited ammunition
   74B.    Orders under section 74A are confirmable instruments
   74C.    Regulations providing for transitional matters relating to Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019
   74D.    Regulations providing for transitional matters relating to Arms Legislation Act 2020
   75.     Consequential amendment to Summary Proceedings Act 1957
   76.     Consequential amendments to Trespass Act 1980
   77.     Repeals
   78.     Transitional provisions
           Note
   79.     Purpose of sections 80 to 86
   80.     Activities that may be subject to cost recovery
   81.     Criteria for cost recovery
   82.     Consultation
   83.     Methods of cost recovery
   84.     Payment of fee or charge
   85.     Exemptions, waivers, and refunds
   86.     Regulations relating to cost recovery
           Note
   87.     Guidance notices
           Note
   88.     Arms Advisory Group
   89.     Operations of advisory group
   90.     Provisions relating to appointment of members of advisory group
   91.     Removal of members of advisory group
           Note
   92.     Health practitioners may give Police medical reports of persons unfit to use firearm
           Note
   93.     Commissioner to keep registry
   94.     Content of registry
   95.     Obligation to provide information to registry
           Note
   96.     Review of this Act
           SCHEDULE 1