New Zealand Acts

ARMS ACT 1983 - SECT 38A

38A Interpretation

In this Part,—  
"application for approval" means an application made under section 38D to have a pistol shooting club approved    
"application for certification" means an application made under section 38S to have a pistol shooting range certified    
"non-pistol shooting club" means a shooting club that is not a pistol shooting club    
"non-pistol shooting range" means a shooting range at which pistols cannot be used    
"pistol shooting club" means a shooting club that facilitates participation in shooting activities that include the use of pistols    
"pistol shooting range" means a shooting range at which pistols can be used    
"range operator" means the person who is operating, or proposing to operate, a shooting range    
"range standing orders" , in relation to a shooting range, means a document that—  

a) describes the design of the shooting range; and

b) sets out the operational detail, and conditions of use, of the shooting range

"shooting activities" —

a) means activities that are carried out using a firearm or an airgun for the purpose of shooting at inanimate targets (whether fixed or moving); but

b) excludes—

i) paintball shooting; and

ii) airsoft shooting

"shooting club" means a voluntary association of people who—

a) act in accordance with a set of written rules; and

b) participate in, or intend to participate in, shooting activities on a regular basis

"shooting event" , in relation to a temporary non-pistol shooting range, means an event that—

a) includes shooting activities; and

b) lasts for not more than 4 days, with the first day being the day the event commences for participants (who are not event organisers or staff)

"shooting range" —

a) means a facility (whether indoor or outdoor), or a designated area of land, used by a shooting club or members of the public for the primary purpose of carrying out shooting activities; and

b) includes any defence area (as that term is defined in section 2(1) of the Defence Act 1990 ) used by a shooting club

"temporary non-pistol shooting range" means a non-pistol shooting range that is set up temporarily for no more than 2 shooting events in any calendar year.

History: Section 38A: replaced, on 29 June 2025, by section 5 of the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 15).