New Zealand Acts

ARMS ACT 1983 - SECT 54

54 Use or attempted use of airgun, etc, to resist or prevent arrest or commit offence

1 Every person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who makes or attempts to make any use whatsoever of any airgun, restricted weapon, imitation firearm, ammunition, or explosive with intent to resist or prevent the lawful arrest or detention of himself or another person.

2 Every person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years who, at the time of his committing an offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of 3 years or more, has in his possession any firearm (other than a prohibited firearm), airgun, pistol, imitation firearm, restricted weapon, ammunition, or explosive.

3 It is a good defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (2) if the defendant proves that he had the firearm, airgun, pistol, imitation firearm, restricted weapon, ammunition, or explosive in his possession for a lawful purpose.

Note: 1958 No 21 s 18A; 1976 No 151 s 10(1)

History: Section 54 heading: replaced, on 12 April 2019, by section 57(1) of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).   Section 54 heading: amended, on 25 June 2020, by section 81(1) of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).     Section 54(1): amended, on 25 June 2020, by section 81(2) of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).     Section 54(1): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).     Section 54(1): amended, on 28 October 1986, by section 7 of the Crimes Amendment Act (No 2) 1986 (1986 No 71).     Section 54(2): amended, on 12 April 2019, by section 57(2) of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).     Section 54(2): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).