Government Ignores 93% of Submissions

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National and Act opposed it – NZ First were silent and refused to use their swing vote in committee. They now refuse comment.

 

 

Arms Legislation Bill

Government Bill
As reported from the Finance and Expenditure Committee
Commentary
Recommendation
The Finance and Expenditure Committee has examined the Arms Legislation Bill and
recommends by majority that it be passed with the amendments shown.
Introduction
The bill seeks to amend the Arms Act 1983 in order to improve public safety by
imposing tighter controls on the use and possession of firearms. The intent of this bill
is to provide a regulatory regime that enables the legitimate use of firearms for recreation and work purposes. This regime would minimise the likelihood of, and subsequent harm caused by, the misuse of firearms.
Supplementary Order Paper 408
The Minister of Police released Supplementary Order Paper 408 on 12 November
2019. The SOP proposes various changes to the bill designed to better meet the aims
of the bill and the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines and Parts) Amendment Act
2019.
The Amendment Act sought to prohibit all centrefire semi-automatic firearms that
have high harm potential. However, it unintentionally omitted from the prohibitions a
small group of firearms that have the same potential to cause high harm as those prohibited. The SOP would expand the definition of prohibited firearms to include this
group of firearms.
The SOP would also impose restrictions on the importation, sale, supply, possession,
and use of pistol carbine conversion kits. They would be limited to persons holding a
dealer’s licence or firearms licence that permits them to legally possess a pistol.
We included the SOP in our consideration of the bill, and recommend that it be
incorporated into the bill with some amendments, which we discuss below.
177—2
Proposed amendments
In this commentary we discuss the main changes we recommend to the bill and SOP
408. We have organised our comments by topic, rather than by following the order of
the clauses as they appear in the bill. We do not cover minor or technical changes.
Our recommendations cover the following topics:
• Prohibited firearms and proposed amnesty
• The proposed registry
• The role of health practitioners
• The proposed licensing systems for:
• individuals
• dealers
• Shooting clubs and shooting ranges
• The definition of a firearm part
• Endorsements on a firearms licence
• Permits to import firearms
• Paintball and airsoft guns and ammunition
• Airgun magazines
• Mail order and internet sales of firearms
• Firearms Advisory Group
• Cost recovery
• Regulation-making powers
• Commencement of the bill’s provisions.
Prohibited firearms and proposed amnesty
Supplementary Order Paper 408 proposes to:
• prohibit short-barrelled semi-automatic rifles
• prohibit firearms containing centrefire lower receivers
• enable the prohibition of centrefire pump-action rifles by Order in Council
• restrict the possession of pistol carbine conversion kits to those who can lawfully possess a pistol.
Amnesty and compensation scheme for additional firearms and parts
We recommend establishing an amnesty period and buy-back scheme for the firearms
and pistol carbine conversion kits that the bill and SOP propose to prohibit or restrict.
We believe this would be fair, as such a scheme was created for firearms prohibited
under the Amendment Act. Under the amnesty, holders of these items would be
2 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
exempt from the offences that would otherwise apply for possessing them, and could
obtain compensation for items delivered or surrendered to the Police.
To set up the amnesty and compensation scheme, we recommend amending Schedule
1 of the bill (which would insert new Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Act) to amend clause
8 and insert new clauses 16C and 16E. New clause 16E provides for the making of
regulations establishing compensation schemes.
The additional firearms to be prohibited or restricted
We support the SOP’s proposed prohibition of short-barrelled semi-automatic rifles.
At present these firearms are excluded from the Arms Act’s prohibitions because they
fall under the definition of pistols, which the Act does not ban. The SOP proposes to
amend the definition of “prohibited firearm” in section 2A of the Act (via clauses 6
and 6A of the bill) so that only “small semi-automatic pistols” are excluded from prohibition, rather than all pistols. This would have the effect of prohibiting semi-automatic “rifles” of between 400mm and 762mm in length, as well as pistols not suitable
for use on a certified pistol range.
We recommend expanding paragraph (a) in the definition of “small semi-automatic
pistol” to make it clear that the 400mm length would exclude any silencer, conversion
kit, or other muzzle-fitting attachment.
We propose to exclude from the definition of prohibited firearm pistols held by collectors or theatrical agencies (such as historic service pistols). We are satisfied that
such firearms would not be a risk, as these people could not use any live ammunition
in the pistol. We recommend making this exemption by inserting in the Arms Act new
sections 2A(1)(a)(i)(D), 2A(3), 29(2B), and 44A(2), and a definition of “semi-automatic pistol” in section 2.
Centrefire lower receivers
We also support the SOP’s proposal to prohibit firearms containing centrefire lower
receivers. These parts can make a firearm a dangerous semi-automatic, but it was
unclear whether the earlier Amendment Act prohibited certain firearms containing a
centrefire lower receiver. The SOP would do this through the definition of “specified
semi-automatic firearm” in clause 6A, new subsection 2A(2). For technical accuracy,
we recommend some changes to the SOP’s proposed wording of this provision.
Centrefire pump-action rifles
In addition to the regulation-making power in clause 82A that would enable pump
action firearms to be prohibited by Order in Council, we recommend, for transparency, that the bill be amended to expressly identify centrefire pump-action rifles as
prohibited firearms. This would also have the benefit of allowing the owners of such
pump-action rifles to promptly access the amnesty and compensation scheme that we
propose.
We therefore recommend amending clause 6A to insert new section 2A(1)(a)(iv) and
(v).
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 3
Carbine conversion kits
The SOP proposes to restrict pistol carbine conversion kits to people who can lawfully possess a pistol, and to those pistols suitable for use on a range. Such kits enable
the firing of pistols from the shoulder, and enhance the accuracy of a regular pistol.
At present, anyone can legally purchase one.
Some air pistol kits can be used with bullet-firing pistols. Therefore, to reinforce the
controls, the SOP also proposes to restrict the importation and manufacture of air pistol carbine conversion kits.
We note that shoulder stocks for historic firearms could fall within the definition of
pistol carbine conversion kit. Because collectors holding these historic firearms are
already subject to the tighter collector requirements, they would not need to be subject to the pistol carbine conversion kit import and possession restrictions.
The proposed registry
The bill would establish a registry and impose on every holder of a firearms or dealer’s licence an obligation to provide information to this registry (clause 83, new sections 93 and 94).
Many submitters expressed concern that updating the registry would be too onerous.
We have been assured that the registry would be sufficiently easy to use and that
licence holders with access to the internet would be able to update the registry online.
Temporary transfers for less than 30 days of firearms not subject to
endorsement would not need to be added to the registry
As introduced, the requirement to provide relevant information to the registry would
apply to the temporary transfer of firearms (new section 94(2)). Some submitters
were concerned that this requirement would be impractical. They pointed out that
temporary transfers in activities involving the use of firearms, such as hunting trips,
occur frequently and informally. An obligation to provide information about temporary transfers to the registry would be too onerous on those engaged in a legitimate use
of firearms. We are not convinced that any possible benefits to public safety would
justify such an intrusion on the legitimate use of firearms.
We recommend amending section 94 to define a temporary transfer as a transfer of
possession of the firearm or other item for less than 30 days. This would apply to
items other than those which require a permit to possess. It therefore would not
include the temporary transfer of a pistol, restricted weapon, prohibited magazine, or
prohibited firearm.
This would ensure that the vast majority of firearms owners who are engaged in activities that involve temporary transfers would not be burdened with an impractical obligation. We believe this strikes the right balance between protecting the legitimate use
of firearms and minimising the likelihood of misuse and harm of high-risk firearms to
the wider community.
4 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
We recommend that the proposed 30-day minimum period before possession must be
registered should apply to temporary transfers for all purposes. This would include
transfers made for the purpose of conducting work. For example, a temporary transfer
of a firearm from a farmer to an employee for the purpose of pest control would not
need to be registered if the transfer is for less than 30 days.
Related to the above change, we recommend amending clause 47 (amended section
34). The bill as introduced has some overlap between this section and the sections
around transfer of possession. We recommend amending section 34 to remove the reference to notifying the Police if a person changes where any firearms in their possession are kept. Such notification is better addressed under the registry sections, as discussed above. The licence holder therefore only has to notify the Police within 30
days of changing their address, as required under the current Act.
Direct access to the registry by certain government agencies
The bill would allow the Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Trade, and the New Zealand Customs Service to access information from the
registry (clause 53, new Part 7).
In his submission, the Privacy Commissioner contended that the bill as introduced
would grant the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Customs
Service access to the registry for too broad a purpose. Under new section 38Z(2) the
purpose would be to assist these agencies in “performing their functions, duties, and
powers more effectively or efficiently”.
The policy intent of the bill is to allow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and
the New Zealand Customs Service access to the registry to assist with their oversight
of the movement of goods across the border. We believe the bill should grant these
agencies access to the registry only for this specific reason.
We recommend amending proposed new section 38Z(2) to give these two agencies
access to the registry only “in relation to the movement of lawfully permitted and
lawfully possessed arms items”.
Additional privacy safeguards
We learned from the Privacy Commissioner that the bill as introduced is inconsistent
with best practice for information retention by government agencies. We have taken
note of recommendations submitted by the Privacy Commissioner.
New section 38ZD(i) in the bill as introduced would allow an agency accessing private information from the registry to further disclose it to another government agency.
This would contradict our recommended change to new section 38Z(2) (see above
under “Direct access to the registry by certain government agencies”). That is, we
believe accessing agencies should only use this information for the specific purposes
specified in this bill.
We therefore recommend restricting proposed section 38ZD(i) so that the accessing
agency could use the information only in accordance with the purpose or purposes for
which it was originally accessed.
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 5
We also recommend inserting new section 38ZD(k), stipulating a requirement to
regularly audit access to the registry.
In addition, we recommend inserting clause 82(12), new section 74(3), to create a
requirement to consult the Privacy Commissioner on the drafting of new registry-related regulations.
In our view, these changes would ensure that gun owners and dealers could be confident that the information they provide to the registry is treated in a way that respects
their expectations of privacy.
Cost and funding of the registry
The bill as introduced includes an example of a fee being charged for the activity of
updating the registry (clause 83, new section 81(b)). We recommend deleting this
example from the bill. It was never the policy intention to charge users to update their
own information on the registry. The cost and funding of the registry is yet to be
determined. It has always been intended that day-to-day use of the registry would be
free, although some activities that may be facilitated through the registry may have a
charge, such as applying for a permit to possess.
The role of health practitioners
The bill would oblige health practitioners to consider notifying the Police if they
think there are health grounds for preventing a patient from using or possessing a firearm (clause 83, new section 91). Currently, information privacy principle 11 in section 6 of the Privacy Act 1993 enables a health practitioner to disclose personal information to the Police if it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to public
safety, or to the life or health of an individual. The bill proposes a lower threshold by
which health practitioners may disclose a patient’s personal information to the Police
where it is in the interests of the safety of the individual or the public that the patient
should not be permitted to use or possess a firearm, or where they should only be permitted to use or possess a firearm subject to particular limitations. This would enable
the Police, as well as relevant mental health professionals, to take action before a crisis point is reached.
We have sought to balance a licence holder’s right to privacy against the need to protect the safety of individuals and the public. In doing so we assessed different
approaches to this issue. On balance, our recommendation is for the regime as proposed in clause 83, new section 91, to be largely retained. We recommend some
changes to this regime, discussed below.
Onus would be on the Police to provide information to health practitioners
As introduced, the bill does not make it explicit that the Police would be expected to
inform health practitioners that a patient has a firearms licence.
We recommend inserting subsection (3) in section 24 (clause 35) to make it explicit
that, once a firearms licence is issued, the Police must notify the health practitioner
6 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
that their patient is a firearms licence holder. This was always the intent, but including
this provision makes it clearer.
The definition of health practitioner is too broad
As introduced, the bill defines “health practitioner” by reference to the definition in
the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. This includes professionals
such as chiropractors, occupational therapists, and dietitians. We accept that there is
limited value in this broad definition.
We recommend narrowing the definition in clause 6, section 2(1) to professionals
who are most likely to encounter situations relevant for assessing the competence of a
patient to hold a firearms licence. We believe that this would appropriately balance
the objectives of privacy and safety.
Subsequent medical assessments
The bill as introduced gives discretion for the Police to require a licence holder to
undergo subsequent medical assessments (clause 83, new section 91(3)).
We recommend amending this provision to expressly state that any subsequent medical assessment must be carried out by a different health practitioner, independent of
the practitioner who made the initial assessment. Some submitters were concerned
that it is difficult for a health practitioner to make an objective assessment about mental health. Except in the most extreme cases, it is a delicate and subjective judgement
as to how someone’s mental health affects their suitability to possess firearms. If a
subsequent medical assessment was done by a different and independent practitioner,
this would provide more certainty for the Police.
We note that clause 82, new section 74(1)(jc), provides scope for regulations to be
made that could provide guidance to health practitioners in this matter.
The proposed licensing system for individuals
The bill would introduce changes to the licensing system with the policy intent of filtering out high-risk people and behaviour. The aim is to ensure that firearms remain
accessible only to appropriate people, thus enhancing public safety. Our recommended changes to these measures are as follows.
Fit and proper person
Under section 24 of the Arms Act, the Police may issue someone a firearms licence if
they are satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to be in possession of a
firearm. The bill would set out specific discretionary criteria and disqualifying criteria
to guide the Police in determining whether an applicant meets the standard or not.
Historic charges
As introduced, the fit and proper test includes whether the person has ever been
charged with certain criminal offences (clause 36, new section 24A(1)(a),(b), and (c)).
This provision prompted some concern, based on the fact that a charge is not evidence
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 7
of guilt. We understand that the policy intent is to help an assessor make an informed
decision about an applicant. However, we consider that a historic charge (but not a
historic offence) might be of limited relevance. Moreover, if a historic charge is used
as a determining factor this is likely to be unfairly prejudicial against an applicant.
On the other hand, we understand that certain types of criminal activity could be
highly relevant in determining whether an applicant should pass the fit and proper
test. This is especially true for violent offending.
We think an appropriate solution is to amend the bill so that assessors are directed to
consider any charges against an applicant that are currently active. This recognises
that it would not be practical to wait until the outcome of a trial. This would ensure an
assessor considered relevant information when determining whether an applicant is
“fit and proper”. It would be inconsistent with the policy aim of the bill if an assessor
was not directed to consider active charges.
Family violence or harassment
The bill would allow an assessor, when applying the fit and proper test, to consider
whether an applicant has ever had a temporary protection order made against them
(clause 36, new section 24A(1)(d)). Section 24A(1)(da) would carry over provisions
from current section 27A (clause 38) that the Police may decide that a person is not fit
and proper to possess firearms if there are grounds for a such a protection order to be
made.
We recommend extending this provision so that an assessor may also consider
whether a restraining order was ever made against an applicant. We propose doing so
by adding new section 24A(1)(db).
Offences related to hunting and control of animals
As with the issue above, the policy intent of the bill is to include as relevant factors
certain convictions an applicant may have. Evidence of convictions can provide an
indication to the Police of an applicant’s likely behaviour and willingness to comply
with the law. Clause 36, new section 24A(1)(c) as introduced includes charges or convictions under section 231A of the Crimes Act 1961 (entry onto agricultural land with
intent to commit an imprisonable offence), and the Wildlife Act 1953 and the Wild
Animal Control Act 1977 (which provide for the regulation of hunting). We recommend extending this provision so that an assessor may also consider similar offences
under the Game Animal Council Act 2013, which manages herds of special interest.
Mental health considerations
Clause 36, new section 24A(1)(f) as introduced would enable an assessor to consider,
when applying the fit and proper test, whether an applicant has “significant mental
health issues”.
This provision prompted some concern. An assessor is being asked to consider an
applicant’s mental health. The intention of the bill is to enable an assessor to consider
a wide range of relevant behaviours that help to determine whether someone is suit8 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
able to possess a firearm. To do this, an assessor should be considering evidence of
actual behaviours and cognitive functioning that indicate whether the person is or is
not fit and proper to possess a firearm. The wording of this provision as introduced
appears to associate mental illness with gun violence. We see this as stigmatising and
potentially misleading. We believe that encouraging an assessor to consider mental
illness is a step removed from what the assessor should actually be considering.
Also, by placing the focus on mental illness, New Zealand would be in breach of its
obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This
convention prevents laws that discriminate against people solely on the basis of disability, including those with long-term mental impairments.
We recommend that section 24A(1)(f) be amended so that the focus is on whether an
applicant has actually shown symptoms of a mental or physical illness or injury that
may adversely affect their ability to safely possess firearms.
Discretion to issue a firearms licence
As introduced, the bill would grant discretion to an assessing police officer even after
an applicant had satisfied all of the criteria for a firearms licence. This is because it
states (clause 35, new section 24) that a police officer “may” issue a licence if satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person and meets the age threshold. We are
concerned that this would allow an assessor to refuse to grant a licence for no clear
reason.
The fit and proper test as set out in clause 36, new section 24A would already provide
police officers with sufficient discretion in determining the suitability of an applicant.
We believe that this extra level of discretion is unnecessary, especially where there is
no clear guidance on how that discretion should be exercised.
We recommend amending clause 35, new section 24(1) by changing the word “may”
to “must”. This would ensure that an applicant, having satisfied all of the requirements for a firearms licence, will be entitled to obtain one.
Five- and ten-year licence periods
As introduced, clause 37, new section 25(1) would reduce the duration of a firearms
licence from 10 years to 5. This provision prompted some concern among submitters,
who assumed that it would essentially see a doubling of the costs of licensing.
At present, the fee for a firearms licence is $126.50 for a 10-year licence.
Submitters expressed concern that the per annum cost would increase if licence holders need to reapply for a licence twice as often. A larger workload could also see a
large backlog for licence processing. This would require the Police to dedicate more
resources to processing licences, and in the process this could divert resources away
from other policing work. It could also undermine some aspects of the licensing system.
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 9
We note that the thinking behind this provision is that the licensing process is an
appropriate opportunity for individuals to be evaluated as to whether they are still fit
and proper to be in possession of firearms.
We also note that the vast majority of licence holders who receive a criminal conviction do so within five years of being issued a licence. We accept that it would be valuable for the Police to have another opportunity to reassess someone’s licence status
after the first five years. However, reassessing every five years thereafter would
impose an unnecessary administrative burden on both the Police and licence holders.
Balancing these considerations, we recommend a two-phase approach to the licence
period. We propose that an applicant who has never had a licence before would initially receive a 5-year licence, but subsequent applications would see them issued
with a licence that is valid for 10 years.
We believe that this approach would create an easy-to-use, efficient licensing regime,
while giving the Police another opportunity to assess a licence holder’s suitability to
possess a firearm. The Police would have an opportunity to assess whether an individual has shown such changes as drug dependency or criminal offending. This
approach recognises that the majority of substantial life changes for licence holders
occur between the ages of 16 and 25. This is also when most firearms users receive
their first licence.
To be clear, our amendment would mean that, if a licence holder had their licence
revoked, or if they were to voluntarily surrender their licence, or let their licence
expire without applying for a new licence, this would reset the 5-year/10-year
sequence. That is, if they subsequently reapplied for a licence it would initially be for
5 years.
Applicants who have applied for a new firearms licence on or after 10 February 2020
would receive a 5-year licence
As noted above, applicants who have not had a licence before, or who have had their
licence revoked, or let their licence expire without applying for a new licence, will
receive a 5-year licence. In Schedule 1, new Part 2, clause 9, we recommend adding a
provision that makes clear that if any of these applicants applied for a new firearms
licence on or after 10 February 2020 (our report back date), but before the enactment
date, they would receive a 5-year licence if their application was successful. This may
prevent any rush of applicants trying to obtain a 10-year licence duration before the
bill is enacted.
We note that the bill as introduced proposes licence durations with similar retrospective effect, dating from applications made after policy announcements on 22 July
2019. We consider that we have struck a good balance with the retrospectivity taking
effect only from 10 February 2020. Anyone who applied for a firearms licence before
10 February 2020 would receive a firearms licence valid for 10 years. Again, this is
obviously conditional on the application being successful.
10 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
Reasonable notice period for an inspection
The bill as introduced would permit the Police to inspect firearms and their storage
and security arrangements (clause 36, new section 24B(1)(c)). The Police would be
required to give reasonable notice of an inspection.
Submitters raised concerns about the subjective judgement required to determine a
reasonable notice period. There was a desire from submitters for more specificity
about what notice is reasonable.
To address these concerns, we recommend amending new section 24B(2)(a) to
require a minimum notice period of 7 days. We believe this would provide more certainty to firearms owners.
The bill as introduced also obliges a licence holder to “produce any firearm within the
licence holder’s possession to a member of the Police on demand” (clause 36, section
24B(1)(b)).
To allay concerns that this would allow police officers to enter a licence holder’s
home without reasonable notice, which is not the policy intent, we recommend
amending section 24B(1)(b). Our change would make it clear that the requirement to
produce a firearm “on demand” would only apply when a person was actually carrying their firearm.
Temporary suspension of licences
As introduced, clause 75, new section 60A would enable the Police to suspend a
licence (either for an individual or a dealer) pending its possible revocation. The suspension would last until a notice of the decision was given (section 60A(2)(d)). We
were concerned that such a suspension could theoretically apply indefinitely if there
were no decision given.
We recommend specifying a 90-day time limit on suspensions by means of section
60A(2)(d). We think this would be enough time for the licence holder to respond to
the suspension notice and for the Police to make a decision on revocation.
Visitors to New Zealand
Clause 35 would require an applicant to have their storage facilities inspected by the
Police before a licence was issued. A problem arises for visitors to New Zealand, who
may not require storage facilities in New Zealand. Although this may be for legitimate reasons, the provision could prevent them from receiving a firearms licence.
We propose allowing the Police to evaluate visitors’ proposed storage arrangements.
They could issue a licence provided they were satisfied with the arrangements made
by the applicant for storing any firearms and ammunition while in New Zealand. We
recommend amending clause 35, section 24(1) to add new paragraph (b)(ii) to this
effect.
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 11
Changes to the types of activity that require a dealer’s licence, and
eligibility for a dealer’s licence
The bill would broaden the activities that are covered by a dealer’s licence. It also
may prevent anyone who has been adjudicated bankrupt or a director of an unrelated
business to be considered eligible for a dealer’s licence.
We are satisfied that the bill would strengthen the licensing regime for dealers. However, our recommendations for changes are listed below.
Activities requiring a dealer’s licence
The bill as introduced would classify someone as a dealer if they sold, lent, or supplied firearms in the course of carrying on business (clause 10, new section 5(1)(a)).
We are concerned that the reference to “carrying on business” is ambiguous. Unless
better defined, there is a risk that activities which are incidental to a business (such as
supplying a firearm to a farm employee to shoot an injured animal) would get captured by this new definition.
We recommend amending section 5(1) by introducing a threshold requirement to
meet the definition of a dealer. For the threshold to be met, lending, selling, hiring, or
otherwise supplying a firearm would need to be a commercial activity central to the
business in question. This would exclude activities that are incidental to some other
business, hobby, or recreational activity. Farmers would be able to provide firearms to
their employees, and an experienced hunter could supply a firearm as part of occasionally acting as a hunting guide for a client, without being classified as a dealer.
We recommend inserting section 5(1C) to limit the definition of a dealer by specifically excluding the occasional commercial hunting guides who supply no more than 6
firearms for the use of clients. We are aware that it is common practice for a guide to
provide firearms for their clients on a commercial guided hunting trip. Most of these
trips occur with 1 or 2 clients.
Shooting clubs that sell firearms or ammunition
Submitters expressed concern that a not-for-profit shooting club involved with the
sale or supply of firearms or ammunition for the benefit of the club would require a
club member to become a dealer.
We recommend changing this to clarify that a dealer’s licence is not required where
the sale or supply is for the purposes of the club, the revenue is used for the benefit of
the club, and the supply by a designated club member is with the approval of the
managing committee of the club or the majority of club members.
A licensed dealer who sells both firearms and ammunition should not be
classified as both a dealer and ammunition seller
Clause 6(1) as introduced would define an ammunition seller as “a person who is
responsible for the day-to-day management of a business that includes selling or supplying ammunition”. Although this definition is not incorrect, it would mean that an
12 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
ammunition seller who is also a bona fide licensed dealer would be subject to two different regimes.
We recommend changing the definition of ammunition seller so that it excludes
licensed dealers.
This would ensure that firearms dealers who sell ammunition are only subject to one
set of storage and record-keeping requirements.
Liquidation should not be considered in the fit and proper test
The bill as introduced would include, as part of the criteria for determining whether
someone is fit and proper to hold a dealer’s licence, whether they have ever been the
director of a company that has gone into receivership or liquidation (clause 10, section 6(a)(ii)).
We believe such a consideration is not helpful in determining whether someone is
suitable to be a licensed firearms dealer. There are many legitimate reasons why
someone may have been put into receivership or liquidation. The fact that this has
occurred does not offer an insight into someone’s ability to sell arms items and
ammunition responsibly and in accordance with the law.
We recognise that the behaviour exhibited while running a business can provide an
indication of someone’s fitness to be a responsible licensed dealer. If a person has
committed fraud (or a similar offence) in their capacity as the owner of a business,
this would be relevant. However, this would be covered under “character and reputation” (clause 10, new section 6(a)).
We therefore recommend deleting new section 6(a)(ii) of clause 10.
Police should not take into account whether the body corporate of a dealer has
“suitable staff”
As introduced, the bill would require an assessor, when determining whether an applicant is fit and proper to hold a dealer’s licence, to have regard to whether that applicant has “suitable staff” (clause 10, new section 6(b)(i)). This provision would apply
when a senior manager of a body corporate applies for a dealer’s licence.
Submitters expressed concern that this could enable the Police to have an undue influence over the business delivery methods of dealerships. To allay this concern we propose to delete new section 6(b)(i) of clause 10.
The policy intent of this provision is to enable the Police to ensure that the staff of
dealerships are of a sufficient calibre to sell firearms. However, we note that any
employee who handles or sells firearms must themselves have a firearms licence and
the required endorsements. This means that they would have already been assessed as
fit and proper to possess the firearms they are handling in their role as an employee.
We believe this indicates that they would be suitable to sell and handle firearms in a
dealership. We consider that this is sufficient to cover the stated policy intent.
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 13
What constitutes “appropriate oversight and control”?
The bill as introduced creates a requirement for a senior manager of a firearms-related
dealership to have “appropriate oversight and control” of the dealer activity. For the
avoidance of doubt when determining what is appropriate oversight and control, we
recommend amending section 6(b)(ii) to make it clear that a manager with a dealer’s
licence would be required in each place of business that carries out a dealer activity.
A dealer’s licence may apply for more than one place of business
The Arms Act currently specifies that a dealer’s licence can only be issued in respect
of one place of business. This does not reflect current practice, where firearms are
moved to separate sites on a temporary basis such as to a gun show or for use in a
theatrical production. In these situations, firearms are moved between the different
premises and the movement of arms between different sites is managed through specific conditions on a dealer’s licence.
This provision in the Act is a particular problem for businesses that rely on providing
firearms for people at multiple locations. To address this, we recommend inserting
clause 11A to amend section 7 of the Arms Act. Under this new provision the Police
would be able to grant conditions on a dealer’s licence that would enable them to
operate at places other than their usual place of business. We envisage this applying to
businesses such as theatrical armourers or clay target shooting operators who operate
from different sites.
The power to regulate advertising should be expressly limited
The bill as introduced would enable the Police to regulate the advertising of firearms
by Order in Council (clause 82, new section 74(1)(ja)). However, the bill does not
indicate what level of regulation is intended by this provision. We are aware of concern that this provision could be used to justify a prohibition on the advertising of
firearms by dealers.
It is not the policy intent to prohibit the advertising of firearms. The main intended
use of this provision is to require firearms sellers to take responsibility for promoting
the safe possession and use of firearms. It is intended that this provision would be
used to promote messages designed to inform firearms users of their responsibilities.
We believe several changes are warranted so that the limited intention behind this
provision is realised. We recommend replacing proposed section 74(1)(ja) with a new
section that clarifies the stated policy intent. We also recommend deleting paragraph
(jb).
We also recommend amending clause 82(12) to insert section 74(5). This would prohibit any regulations made under section 74(1)(ja) from coming into force until three
months after the regulation has first been notified in the Gazette, unless the Minister
of Police was satisfied that there are reasons to justify an earlier commencement date.
14 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
Written approval from the Police would not be needed for the manufacture of
non-prohibited firearms
As introduced, clause 11, new section 6B would require a manufacturer to obtain
written approval from the Police before they manufacture a range of items. This
includes non-prohibited firearms, magazines, and parts.
We are concerned that this would create a large administrative burden for the Police
and for manufacturers. The policy intent behind this provision was to give the Police
an opportunity to assess, on a case-by-case basis, the manufacture of pistols, restricted weapons, pistol carbine conversion kits, and air pistol carbine conversion kits. For
approval to be given, the Police would need to be satisfied that there is a special reason why these items should be manufactured in New Zealand.
We consider it unnecessary that manufacturers must seek special approval to manufacture things that are clearly not an item listed above. These manufacturers would
already hold a dealer’s licence with permission to manufacture firearms and related
parts. Requiring them to seek special permission, on top of the licence they already
hold, to manufacture non-prohibited firearms and related parts creates an unnecessary
administrative burden.
We recommend amending new section 6B(4) and inserting new section 6B(5) so that
a special reason to manufacture is required only for such items as pistols, restricted
weapons, pistol carbine conversion kits, and air pistol carbine conversion kits.
Limits to the manufacture of firearms
As introduced, clause 11, new section 6B(3), would allow the Police to stipulate a
limit on the number of arms items that can be manufactured by a particular dealer.
We recommend removing subsection (3).
The new requirements for shooting clubs and ranges
The bill would create a requirement for shooting clubs and shooting ranges to be
regulated. We recommend several changes to the bill in relation to the certification
regime for shooting clubs and ranges.
Tightening the rules around the inspection of shooting clubs and shooting ranges
The bill as introduced does not specify the conditions under which the Police may
carry out an inspection of a shooting club or range, or its documents (clause 53, new
section 38T). This created some concern that the Police might use this provision to
inspect clubs and ranges without notice. There was also concern that this provision
could allow police officers to enter the homes of club officials while carrying out an
inspection of club documents.
It is not the policy intent for police officers to enter private homes for inspections of
club documents. Nor is it the intention to give powers to the Police that enable them
to inspect clubs or ranges without notice.
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 15
We recommend clarifying section 38T and specifying that the Police would need to
give at least 7 days’ notice of an inspection. The Police would only inspect club venues that are actually part of the shooting range or where firearms or ammunition may
be stored.
We believe these changes would ensure that the new inspection requirements could
both satisfy the need for the Police to have oversight of shooting clubs, and avoid burdening clubs with undue inspection requirements. We believe this would be done in a
way that promotes cooperation between the clubs and Police.
Creating safe storage requirements for clubs and ranges
As introduced, the bill lists various criteria that a shooting club must satisfy in order
to be approved (clause 53, new section 38E). The list does not include a requirement
for the satisfactory storage of firearms. We are aware that many clubs store firearms
and ammunition on their premises.
We want to avoid creating a loophole whereby individuals who hold a firearms
licence must demonstrate the safe storage of their firearms, but clubs would not need
to. We therefore recommend inserting section 38E(e) so that clubs holding firearms
on their premises or at a shooting range used by the club must demonstrate proper
storage facilities. This would be consistent with the current regime for pistol clubs.
Clubs and ranges would have 12 months to file an application to be certified
We are concerned that the Police may not have the resources to certify all clubs and
ranges within the 12 month transition period provided for in Schedule 1, clauses 14
and 15. This would not be a concern for the majority of clubs, where current management practices are already similar to the regime proposed by this bill. Certifying these
clubs would be relatively quick, and mostly a matter of filling out paperwork.
However, for many smaller, often rural, clubs the 12 month period could create undue
time pressure to ensure that they are certified.
To avoid this, we recommend amending clauses 14 and 15 in Schedule 1 so that clubs
and shooting ranges need simply to apply to be certified within 12 months of the
commencement date of the shooting clubs and shooting ranges provisions of Part 6.
As long as an application had been filed, the date that the club was actually certified
would not matter. We expect that this would avoid some concern about a potential
bottleneck of clubs trying to get a certificate of approval or the range(s) they used certified once the bill commenced.
Clubs should have an extended timeframe for reporting
The bill would introduce a requirement for shooting clubs to file annual reports with
the Police (clause 53, new section 38J). The annual report would need to include
“prescribed particulars”, which may possibly include such particulars as membership,
safety information, relevant assets, income, and sales or hire of firearms and ammunition. Many of these particulars are consistent with existing reporting requirements for
16 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
incorporated societies, comprising the majority of clubs, so they would face little
additional reporting.
Some concern was expressed that clubs would only have 3 months after the end of the
financial year to prepare these reports. We believe this would be insufficient time. We
recommend amending this provision to give clubs 5 months to file their annual report.
This would be consistent with the current requirements for incorporated societies.
Shooting ranges would not need to reapply for certification every 5 years
The bill would require a shooting range to reapply for certification every 5 years
(clause 53, section 38Q). We heard from some smaller shooting ranges that this would
be unaffordable.
The policy intent of this provision is simply for a range’s certification to be reviewed
every 5 years. This would not require a fresh application. However, it provides the
opportunity for a full renewal of certification if a range has experienced significant
change.
To clarify this point, we recommend redrafting new section 38S to provide that a
range may initiate a renewal by using an approved form rather than making a fresh
application.
Clubs would have a right of appeal
The bill as introduced does not have an appeal mechanism for clubs that have been
declined a certificate of approval or ranges that have been declined certification. This
was an oversight. To correct it, we propose amending clause 76, new section
62B(1)(b)(viii) and (ix) to include an appeal mechanism.
Public liability insurance
As introduced, clause 53, section 38N(c) would require shooting ranges to have public liability insurance. We believe this would be an overly intrusive involvement in
the day-to-day functioning of ranges. We recommend that this provision be deleted.
Range officers
As introduced, the bill would require a shooting range to have a duty manager present
when the range is in use. We recommend amending clause 53, new section 38P(1), to
refer to an “officer”, rather than “manager”, and to the management of range safety,
rather than simply management of a range.
We believe that most target-shooting disciplines already have an established process
for training range safety officers, and rules about how they operate. Our changes
would better align with the terminology used by shooting ranges, and help make it
clear that a safety officer is consistent with best practice. We expect that most shooting ranges will only need to make minor changes, if any, to the way they operate to be
consistent with this provision.
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 17
Clubs that sell ammunition
We are aware some clubs sell ammunition to their members. This is a relatively normal and widespread practice, done either for fundraising reasons or to pass on bulk
purchase savings to members.
The bill as introduced establishes obligations on ammunition sellers, such as a duty to
keep records of ammunition sales. Under the bill, a club would not be considered an
ammunition seller because the definition of an ammunition seller is designed to capture individuals who sell as part of their commercial business. However, this means
that a club selling ammunition would not be covered by the new requirements for
ammunition sellers introduced in this bill.
We recommend inserting new section 38BA to require any club that wishes to sell
ammunition to become an incorporated society under the Incorporated Societies Act
1908. This would ensure that the sales are for the benefit of the club and also make
them subject to the storage requirements and to reporting requirements through compulsory annual reports. The reports would have to include information about the
ammunition bought and sold by a club. This would allow the Police to have oversight
of the large amount of ammunition sold in this fashion.
Small and non-exclusive parts not integral to a firearm would not be
defined as a “part” for the purposes of the Act
The Arms Act’s definition of a part includes the phrase “any thing”, followed by
examples (section 2(1)). We are concerned that this does not provide sufficient certainty that it excludes very small parts which are not integral to a firearm nor exclusive to firearms, such as small screws.
The intention is to ensure that the rules that govern possession and manufacture of a
firearm cannot be circumvented by having a person assemble or modify firearms with
parts that there are no controls over.
However, submitters were concerned that a wide definition of “part” could have several unintended consequences for very small parts, and parts that are not exclusive to
firearms. For example, the bill as introduced could potentially under regulations
require all parts of a firearm to be registered and marked, including items such as
screws.
We recommend replacing clause 6(4) to change the definition of “part” in section 2(1)
of the Act. Our change would remove the current wording “including any thing such
as” and instead be an exhaustive list.
The effect of this is that only parts that are exclusive to firearms or integral to their
operation would come under the definition of a “part”.
We believe this would be more practical. It would allay fears of manufacturers and
importers of firearms that small parts, such as a screw, would need to be entered into
the registry or require a permit to import.
18 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
Endorsements on a firearms licence
Pest control endorsements
As introduced, the bill stipulates that pest control related endorsements would last for
2 years (clause 46, new section 33C). We propose amending this provision so that a
pest control endorsement would last for 2.5 years. As the bill would change the
licence period for a first-time licence holder to 5 years, a 2-year pest control endorsement might require some people to apply for this endorsement three times over the
course of their 5-year licence. With a 2.5-year period, a person would only need to
apply twice. This change would make the process for these endorsements easier to
manage.
Endorsements for employees of firearms dealers
As introduced, clause 46, new section 33C provides that the duration of an endorsement held by an employee of a licensed dealer would continue in force for 1 year.
We recommend amending new section 33C to make it clear that the 1-year limit on
endorsements refers exclusively to endorsements held in a licence holder’s capacity
as an employee.
With the exception of pest control endorsements (see above), all other endorsements
held by an employee in a private capacity would remain on their licence until it
expires.
We also recommend amending clause 49 to insert section 35(2A), and a related
amendment to section 35(2)(b). The effect of these two changes would be to enable
an employee of a licensed dealer to be issued a permit to possess a pistol or restricted
weapon in their private capacity if they have a personal endorsement. However, it
would prevent an employee being issued a permit to possess in their private capacity
based solely on an employee endorsement.
Permits to import firearms and ammunition
The bill would make several changes related to the importation of firearms and
ammunition. We recommend changes to some of these provisions, as follows.
Importation of prohibited ammunition
Section 16A of the Arms Act provides that a person is liable to a term of imprisonment for importing prohibited ammunition. However, regulation 28Y of the Arms
Regulations 1992 allows the possession of prohibited ammunition in specific circumstances. The intent behind this regulation is that there would only ever be a small
quantity of prohibited ammunition allowed into New Zealand. It would only be possessed by a small number of people, and the Police could be reasonably confident that
they would hold the ammunition in a responsible manner.
We recommend amending clauses 21, 22, and 24, sections 16, 16A, and 18 of the Act,
to allow for the importing of prohibited ammunition in certain limited circumstances.
A permit could only be granted if the individual were able to possess prohibited
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 19
ammunition under regulation 28Y and was the holder of a firearms licence. They
would also need to have a special reason why the ammunition should be allowed into
New Zealand.
We consider that allowing the importation of prohibited ammunition under such
limited circumstances would not hamper the policy intent of section 16A. The Police
would still be able to maintain tight control over the possession of prohibited ammunition. The quantity of items would be very small and the risk of misuse very low. We
believe it is appropriate that those individuals who are legally allowed to possess prohibited ammunition are also legally allowed to obtain this ammunition.
A permit to import would depend on the importer holding the appropriate
licence
Under the Act at present, an importer of firearms is not required to hold a firearms
licence. This means that a person could apply for an import permit for items that they
cannot lawfully possess.
We recognise that such an application for a permit would likely be refused on the
grounds that the applicant does not have a firearms licence. Nevertheless, for the
avoidance of doubt, we recommend specifying in our proposed new section 18(4) that
an importer of firearms must hold the corresponding firearms licence, complete with
the relevant endorsements. This would ensure that importers are holding firearms in
the same safe and responsible manner that is expected of gun owners.
Multiple consignments with a single import permit
Under clause 24, section 18 as introduced, an import permit would cover items
brought into New Zealand in a single consignment. Items not included in that consignment would need an additional permit.
We accept that this does not take into account the day-to-day reality of importation.
An order may arrive in different shipments that land in New Zealand at different
times. This could be for various reasons, and be outside the importer’s control. It
would be impractical to require an importer to have multiple import permits for the
single order in every case. It would create an administrative burden for importers
without a corresponding increase in public safety.
We recommend amending new section 18AAD as inserted by the SOP so that an
import permit could apply to multiple consignments, and would continue to apply for
up to 30 days after the initial consignment arrives in New Zealand. Any consignment
arriving after 30 days would need a new import permit.
Paintball and airsoft ammunition should not be considered
ammunition for the purposes of the Act
We wish to allay some concern about how this bill would affect the legal standing of
paintball and airsoft guns. Although the projectiles for these guns have very low
potential for harm, submitters were concerned that they could be unintentionally subject to some of the new provisions aimed at tightening the rules around firearms.
20 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
Instead of amending a definition—since ammunition is not defined in the Arms Act—
we propose clarifying this matter in the clauses dealing with ammunition restrictions
and requirements. We recommend amending clause 31, new sections 22B, 22C, and
22D, by expressly excluding projectiles fired from paintball and airsoft guns from the
ammunition provisions.
We also recommend amending clause 21, new section 16, so as to exclude paintball
and airsoft ammunition from requiring an import permit.
The requirement to hold a licence to possess a magazine for an
airgun
Clause 31, new section 22A(1) prohibits someone from possessing a magazine when
they do not have a firearms licence. However airguns, which do not require a firearms
licence, also use magazines. We are concerned that this provision would require
someone to have a licence to possess an airgun magazine, when they would not
require one to possess an airgun.
We recommend amending this provision to make it clear that someone would only
need a licence to possess a magazine for a firearm.
We note that any airgun that has been deemed especially dangerous is classified as a
firearm, so a licence would still be required to possess a magazine for one of these.
Offence provisions
Clauses 56 to 72 of the bill would create a new Part 8 in the Act dealing with
offences. It would amend existing sections 42 to 59, and create a number of new
offences for breaches of the new regime. The SOP would also create offences relating
to the new restrictions on pistol carbine conversion kits (new sections 44AA and
50AA).
Certain offences would not apply to an agency of the Crown
Clause 7 of the bill would amend section 3 of the Act to exempt agents of the Crown
from certain provisions in specified circumstances. For example, it would allow the
use of prohibited firearms for Defence Force training purposes, and the Commissioner of Police to authorise the importation and possession of firearms by visiting
law enforcement officers.
We recommend adding new subclauses (6) to (8) to provide immunity for members of
the Police in situations where they undertake covert activities for law enforcement
purposes. With our amendment, it would not be unlawful for members of the Police,
in the course of undertaking covert activities, to commit any of the offences specified
in proposed new sections 55D to 55G.
This provision would be similar to section 34A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. It
would protect undercover officers from liability if, as part of a covert investigation,
they engaged in illegal trafficking or manufacturing of firearms.
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 21
However, some requirements should apply to the Crown
Clause 7, section 3(5), would exempt the Crown from certain requirements that would
otherwise apply under the Act. They include recording information in the registry,
marking firearms and other items with identifying markings, or reporting information
to the Police. However, we believe it may in the future be appropriate for the Crown
to do these things in some circumstances. We recommend amending clause 82(11) to
insert section 74(1)(re). This would allow regulations to be made that impose such a
requirement on the Crown.
Changes to the legal standard the bill would require for criminal offences
The bill contains a number of strict liability offences. Crown Law, in its advice to the
Attorney-General on the bill’s consistency with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act
1990, noted that a defence of total absence of fault may be available to a defendant
for some of these offences. However, we consider it would be better practice and consistent with similar offences in the Act for the words “without reasonable excuse” to
be added to these offences.
We therefore recommend adding “without reasonable excuse” to the offence provisions in clause 19 (section 15), clause 21 (section 16), clause 29 (section 20), clause
30 (section 21), clause 51 (section 36), and clause 53 (sections 38B and 38K).
Mail order and internet sales of firearms
Section 43A of the Arms Act makes it an offence for a person to sell an arms item
(other than an airgun for use in airsoft or paintball sports) or ammunition by mail
order or over the internet without a special endorsement from the Police.
However, this provision does not apply to pistols, restricted weapons, prohibited
items, or certain ammunition.
We believe it would be inconsistent with the policy intent for there not to be a specific
restriction on the sale of pistols, restricted weapons, and prohibited items by mail
order or over the internet. This is especially pertinent because these items have been
deemed to have a higher potential for harm than regular firearms, which are subject to
restrictions.
We recommend amending clause 59 to insert section 43A(3). This would create an
offence regarding mail order or internet sales of pistols, restricted weapons, and prohibited items. Any such sale would require the purchaser to hold the appropriate
endorsement and a permit to possess that item, and the courier delivering the item to
be specified in the permit or, in the case of a prohibited part, a form specified by the
Police.
Review of the Firearms Advisory Group membership
The bill as introduced does not expressly allow for the removal of a member of the
Firearms Advisory Group. We recommend amending clause 83 to insert section 90A
so that the Minister of Police or the Commissioner may remove a member they have
22 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
appointed, with just cause. Grounds for removal would include misconduct, inability
to perform the functions of office, neglect of duty, or a breach of agreed procedures.
On the advice of the Regulations Review Committee, we recommend that section
74(1)(rb)(v) be deleted (clause 82(11)). This regulation-making power is unnecessary
because new section 89(5) already provides that members of the advisory group
would generally be immune from liability in civil proceedings.
Cost recovery
Clause 83 would insert sections 80 to 86 to enable the Police to recover costs in relation to certain activities under this legislation. Examples of such activities are set out
in proposed section 80(2).
For clarity, we recommend some amendments in section 80.
We consider fees appropriate in instances such as these, where the person charged
would receive a personal benefit from the service supplied. We consider that any fee
should relate to the cost of providing the service.
As noted earlier in this commentary, it is not intended that users of the firearms registry would be charged for transactions. If it is decided that users are to contribute to the
funding of the registry, then the cost recovery for this could possibly come from the
firearms licensing fee. We therefore recommend amending proposed section 81(b) to
delete the example of a charge on licence holders for updating the registry.
Regulation-making powers
We recommend a number of changes to the regulation-making provisions in the bill.
Many have been discussed already throughout this report. One further change of note
should be highlighted.
We recommend that clause 82 insert a new subsection 74(4) that provides that, before
the Minister of Police recommends the making of any regulations, the Minister
should be satisfied that the Commissioner of Police has done everything reasonable to
consult persons or organisations that appear to the Commissioner to be affected or
likely to be affected by the regulations. An exception is provided for cases where the
Minister is satisfied that, in the circumstances, it was not practicable to consult to that
extent or to carry out any consultation.
Commencement of the bill’s provisions
As introduced, clause 2 of the bill provides that most provisions would come into
force on a date or dates to be set by Order in Council, or 2 years after enactment,
whichever was earlier. The Regulations Review Committee questioned the need for
this approach. It noted that commencement by Order in Council should be rare, and
the fall-back date should be no more than a year after enactment.
We have considered these points, and recommend replacing clause 2 with staged
commencement dates for the bill’s various provisions, ranging from the day after the
date of Royal assent, to 2 years after.
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 23
National Party minority view
National Party members do not support this bill. We believe it is improperly targeted
and that this firearms reform should be focused on genuine criminal activity and
gangs.
This bill does not do that. Instead it places greater responsibility, regulation, and costs
on individuals and groups who already obey the law.
To the National Party members, the general policy thrust of this bill appears to be predicated on the notion that applying some more rules to people who already follow the
law will somehow make people safer. That flies in the face not only of evidence we
received on this bill, but also the evidence received by the select committee inquiry
into the illegal possession of firearms in 2016/17.
Evidence received by that committee included statistics from Australia that 87 percent of offenders in firearms-related offences were unlicensed and, of homicides
involving firearms, 90 percent of those firearms were unregistered.
That evidences that more rules around licensing and a firearms register are neither
going to reduce crime, nor keep guns out of the hands of criminals.
National Party members maintain that this bill should have been amended to include
Firearms Prohibition Orders to keep firearms out of the hands of the most dangerous
individuals, to have a much lighter regulatory touch on shooting clubs and ranges,
and to have dialled back on the regulatory powers both in this bill and in the April
2019 reforms. Instead, those powers have been increased, particularly with SOP 408.
Instead of greater administrative burden and uncertainty on clubs and ranges, the bill
should have looked to address accessibility to legitimate sports shooting, including
prohibited-category firearms, based on the rules and practices of organisations widely
acknowledged for their sound management, such as Pistol New Zealand.
It should also have addressed broader eligibility for prohibited-category firearms for
pest control. Instead, this will be addressed via regulations and away from immediate
parliamentary scrutiny, resulting in secondary legislation which encourages people to
form company vehicles simply to get around primary legislation.
National Party members hold that insufficient justification has been provided to warrant lowering the threshold for proactive notification by a health practitioner from that
in the Health Information Privacy Code. We are particularly concerned with provisions which will see the Police proactively advising health practitioners that their
patient holds a firearms licence, a policy which will result in the private information
of around 250,000 New Zealanders being disclosed.
There are alternative means to address proactive notification which do not require that
extent of information disclosure.
24 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
SOP 408
National Party members hold that advisers were unable to demonstrate sufficiently
that pump action rifles represent a public safety risk approaching that of semi-automatic firearms.
Similarly, we are not persuaded that short-barrelled rifles could not have been
addressed through an alternative definition which addressed them directly.
Instead, SOP 408 results in a revised definition and regulation-making power which
further increases the scope of that power. That is achieved by reducing the scope of
what cannot be prohibited through regulations.
We do not support the increase in regulation-making power.
Summary
While we support most of the proposed amendments from the committee, in the context of the bill as it stands, they simply make a poor bill somewhat less poor. They do
not fundamentally shift the focus, or the legislative changes, to where they should be.
National Party members recommend that the bill does not progress.
ACT Party minority view
Recommendation: the ACT Party member recommends that the legislation be abandoned.
Prelude
In the aftermath of our nation’s tragedy in Christchurch, it was clear that there would
be changes to the laws and administration of firearm laws in New Zealand. What
could never have been predicted was the poor quality of response from the Government parties and even one Opposition party responsible for holding the Government
accountable.
The April 2019 Arms Amendment Act that preceded the current legislation has led to
a series of failures. The most obvious is that the Government openly accepts it does
not know what proportion of prohibited firearms were handed in to the so-called buyback. A subtler but perhaps more important failure is a precipitous measured decline
in trust in the Police that was evident in many submissions. The Government’s
changes have significantly impacted law-abiding firearm owners, without actually
impacting criminals or would-be terrorists.
Against that backdrop, the Minister of Police introduced this Arms Legislation Bill.
Before reviewing the contents of the bill, and the submissions to it, it is worth making
some remarks about the timing.
Timing of the bill and parliamentary procedure
The bill was first read on 24 September 2019. In the normal course of events, it would
be referred to the Justice Committee with instructions to report back to the House
within six months, on 24 March 2020. The Finance and Expenditure Committee was
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 25
given special instructions to report back by 10 February 2020. This has two effects.
One is that the committee has had less time than usual to consider the bill, and far less
time than usual considering the House has not sat from 18 December 2019 until
11 February 2020. The second effect is that it is difficult to avoid thinking that the
Government has cynically sent the bill to a committee that usually deals with financial matters simply because it has a majority on this committee (but not the more logical Justice Committee), and asked for it to be reported back in time to pass third reading before the 15 March anniversary. It is difficult to avoid thinking the Government
has prioritised political theatrics over public safety.
A more substantive concern is that the bill will be passed before the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch tragedy has reported back. It is logical that the
Government has an inquiry to find out what went wrong and legislation to fix it, but
totally illogical that the legislation will be passed before the inquiry reports back.
Submissions
The ACT Party member acknowledges that the submissions made were overwhelmingly critical of the bill. Submitters seemed anxious to impress that firearms were a
part of their life and often their work. They often had family activities centered on
firearms. They displayed considerable knowledge of the practicalities of regulating
firearm activities and gave practical reasons why they would not work.
The ACT Party member was saddened to see the Chair of the committee often attack
submitters and argue with submitters; however, the member accepts that there was
considerable tension around the legislation. Members of the New Zealand First Party
and the New Zealand Labour Party do not accept this characterisation.
The ACT Party member was constantly underwhelmed by the Police. They frequently
presented arguments that were easily undermined by basic enquiry. With great sadness, the ACT Party member concluded that the Police should not be the policy
advice department in this area. The advice does not assist in making good policy, and
the process of giving it erodes the Police’s reputation, in the member’s view.
Contents of the bill
Registration
The bill creates a requirement for all firearms to be registered. The committee heard
extensive submissions about a firearm register. Overwhelmingly, submitters opposed
a register. They cited that a register would be inaccurate. In particular, some submitters who had had E-Category firearms (which were registered) noted that that register
was routinely incorrect. Others noted the cost of registers overseas. Others noted the
adverse selection problem, that the most dangerous people would not register their
firearms. Others noted that a register would create a security risk if details of where
and what type of firearms were stored got leaked into criminal hands. We were told
that modern technology would make it easier to store a safe and accurate register.
However, we also heard from submitters well versed in database technology that this
view was naïve. The latter submitters pointed out that while database technology has
26 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
indeed improved over the decades, the challenges with such registers occur at the
human interface.
In particular, the bill as introduced required real-time up-to-date registration of firearms. Submitters pointed out the absurdity of this. Some submitters contended that
following the law as written would require them to update the database from the bush
if they handed a rifle to a mate. If the bill proceeds, relaxation of these requirements
to something more practical would be welcome. However, the ACT Party member
notes, and found in questioning, that if the requirements are relaxed long enough for,
say, a firearm to spend a week at a friend’s house, they are relaxed enough for a crime
to be committed, giving the lie to the claim that registration makes anyone safer in the
first place.
Club regulations
The bill imposes a new regulatory regime on clubs. We heard that this provision will
have the opposite of its intended effect. New Zealand hunting and shooting clubs
have long led the way in their promotion of, and provision of training for, safe firearms handling. Instead of ensuring more licensed firearm owners shoot with the
supervision and support of a club, people will be less likely to form clubs and some
existing clubs may even disband if their volunteer members are unable or afraid to
meet this new burden of regulatory compliance.
Doctor-patient relationship
The doctor-patient relationship has long been a privileged one. The bill as introduced
made a “suggestion” that doctors speak to Police if a person with a firearm licence
faced mental health challenges. Proponents of this provision have been keen to claim
that the provision was not mandatory. However, that being the case, it makes no difference from the status quo where doctors had the possibility of reporting a person in
danger to other authorities but are not required to. Altogether, the introduction of this
provision has needlessly stigmatised mental health challenges for no gain of any kind.
Manufacturing
The committee heard from submitters who manufacture firearms that their businesses
will be severely impaired by the new regulations proposed for manufacturing. Given
their business involved machining and fabricating high-value customised parts, it is
unclear how regulating them further will prevent harm. The real harm comes from
illicit manufacturing by unlicensed manufacturers, which of course is already illegal.
Licence period
There was some discussion of the licensing period. The bill as introduced proposed a
5-year licensing period. As the discussion progressed, it became clear to the ACT
Party member that a more frequent relicensing period would simply become a perfunctory process. As the administrators sought to economise on resources, this
process would be at the expense of ad hoc monitoring of reported threats about those
in the middle of a licence period, and proper vetting of those at the end of a licence
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 27
period. Again, a well-intentioned but ultimately counterproductive proposal that characterises the bill.
Conclusion
Altogether this has been a flawed process. The parliamentary procedure and timing
has been disappointing, although the ACT Party member has been impressed with
many of the submissions made. The member believes that the submission process has
shown the bill does more harm than good, and recommends that it be returned to the
House with a recommendation that it not proceed.
28 Arms Legislation Bill Commentary
Appendix
Committee process
The Arms Legislation Bill was referred to the committee on 24 September 2019. The
closing date for submissions was 23 October 2019. We received and considered 3,527
submissions from interested groups and individuals. We heard oral evidence from 318
submitters at hearings in Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin, and Wellington.
Supplementary Order Paper 408 was released to us on 12 November 2019. The closing date for submissions was 29 November 2019. We received and considered 685
submissions from interested groups and individuals. We heard oral evidence from 33
submitters at hearings in Wellington.
We received advice from the New Zealand Police.
The Regulations Review Committee reported to us on the powers contained in clauses
2, 7, 82, 83, and new Part 2 of Schedule 1, clause 17.
Committee membership
Dr Deborah Russell (Chairperson)
Kiritapu Allan
Andrew Bayly
Rt Hon David Carter
Tamati Coffey
Hon Judith Collins
Hon Paul Goldsmith
Ian McKelvie
Greg O’Connor
Willow-Jean Prime (until 11 December 2019)
David Seymour
Jamie Strange (from 11 December 2019)
Fletcher Tabuteau
Dr Duncan Webb
Brett Hudson participated in our consideration of this bill.
Commentary Arms Legislation Bill 29

Key to symbols used in reprinted bill
As reported from a select committee
text inserted by a majority
text inserted unanimously
text deleted by a majority
text deleted unanimously
Arms Legislation Bill

Hon Stuart Nash
Arms Legislation Bill
Government Bill
Contents
Page
1 Title 10
2 Commencement 10
2 Commencement 11
Part 1
Amendments to Arms Act 1983
3 Principal Act 12
4 Long Title repealed 12
5 New Part 1 heading and section 1A inserted 12
Part 1
Preliminary provisions
1A Purposes of this Act 13
6 Section 2 amended (Interpretation) 13
6A Section 2A replaced (Meaning of prohibited firearm) 16
2A Meaning of prohibited firearm 16
6B Section 2B amended (Meaning of prohibited magazine) 17
7 Section 3 amended (Act to bind the Crown) 17
8 Section 4A amended (Persons who may apply to import, sell,
supply, possess, or use prohibited items)
19
9 Cross-heading above section 5 replaced 20
Part 2
Licensed dealers
10 Sections 5 and 6 replaced 20
5 Dealers to be licensed 20
5A Application for dealer’s licence 21
5B Issue of dealer’s licence 22
177—2 1
5C On-site theatrical armourers to supervise firearms use in
certain cases
22
6 Fit and proper person to hold dealer’s licence 22
10A Section 6A amended (Conditions of dealer’s licence) 23
11 New section 6B inserted (Special condition of dealer’s licence
relating to manufacture of firearms, etc)
24
6B Special condition of dealer’s licence relating to
manufacture of firearms, etc
24
11A Section 7 replaced (Place of business) 25
7 Place of business 25
12 Section 7A amended (Gun shows) 25
13 Section 9 amended (Revocation of dealer’s licence) 25
14 Section 10 amended (Restriction on possession of pistol,
prohibited items, or restricted weapon by licensed dealer)
26
15 Section 11 replaced (Dealers and their employees and agents to
hold firearms licences)
27
11 Employees of licensed dealer to hold firearms licence
bearing appropriate endorsements
27
16 Section 12 amended (Record of dealings by licensed dealers) 27
17 Section 13 amended (Seizure of firearms, ammunition, airguns,
pistols, prohibited items, and restricted weapons held by licensed
dealers)
28
18 Section 14 amended (Disposal of firearms, ammunition, airguns,
pistols, prohibited items, and restricted weapons of dealer whose
licence is revoked)
28
19 Section 15 replaced (Offence for licensed dealer to carry on
business following revocation of his licence)
29
15 Offence to carry on dealer activities following revocation
of dealer’s licence
29
20 Cross-heading above section 16 replaced 29
Part 3
Permits to import
21 Section 16 replaced (Offence to import firearms, etc, without
permit)
29
16 Offence to import firearms, etc, without permit 29
22 Section 16A replaced (Offence to import prohibited ammunition) 30
16A Offence to import prohibited ammunition 30
23 Section 17 repealed (Burden of proof) 30
24 Section 18 amended (Issue of permit to import) 30
24 Section 18 replaced (Issue of permit to import) 31
18 Issue of permit to import firearms, etc 31
24A New sections 18AA to 18AAD inserted 32
18AA Issue of permit to import pistol carbine conversion kits 32
Arms Legislation Bill
2
18AAB Issue of permit to import air pistol carbine conversion
kits
33
18AAC Revocation and validity of permit to import 34
18AAD Permit to import issued for items to be brought into or
sent into New Zealand in single consignment or multiple
consignments
35
25 Section 18B replaced (Samples) 35
18B Production of samples 35
18C Export of specified items not corresponding with sample
or otherwise approved for importation
35
26 Section 19 amended replaced (Seizure of illegally imported items) 36
19 Seizure of illegally transported items 36
27 New Part 4 heading, cross-heading and sections 19A and 19B C
inserted
37
Part 4
General restrictions
General restrictions on possession of firearms, airguns,
magazines, parts, and ammunition
19A Restriction on possession of prohibited firearms and
prohibited magazines
37
19B Restriction on possession of prohibited parts 38
19C Restriction on possession of pistols and restricted
weapons
38
28 Cross-heading above section 20 repealed 39
29 Section 20 amended (Restrictions on possession of firearms) 39
30 Section 21 amended (Restrictions on possession of airguns) 39
31 New sections 22A to 22F and cross-headings inserted 39
22A Restriction on possession of non-prohibited magazines
and non-prohibited parts
39
22B Restriction on possession of ammunition 39
Restrictions on possession of pistol carbine conversion
kits
22BA Restrictions on possession of pistol carbine conversion
kits
40
Restrictions on sale or supply of ammunition
22C Restrictions on selling or supplying ammunition 40
22D Ammunition seller to keep record of ammunition sales 41
Restriction on ownership of firearms, airguns, and
restricted weapons by visitors
22E Visitors may not take ownership of firearm, airgun, or
restricted weapon
42
Arms Legislation Bill
3
Restriction on manufacture of prohibited items
22F Restriction on manufacture of prohibited items 42
32 Cross-heading above section 23 replaced 42
Part 5
Firearms licences, endorsements, and permits to
possess
Firearms licences
33 New section 22G inserted (Persons disqualified from holding
firearms licence)
43
22G Persons disqualified from holding a firearms licence 43
34 Section 23 amended (Application for firearms licence) 43
35 Section 24 amended (Issue of firearms licence) 44
35 Section 24 replaced (Issue of firearms licence) 44
24 Issue of firearms licence 44
36 New sections 24A to 24C inserted 45
24A Fit and proper person to hold firearms licence possess
firearm or airgun
45
24B General conditions of firearms licence 47
24C Special condition of firearms licence relating to sale or
supply of ammunition
48
37 Section 25 amended (Duration of firearms licence) 48
37A Section 27 replaced (Revocation and surrender of firearms licence) 48
27 Revocation and surrender of firearms licence 48
38 Section 27A replaced repealed (Family violence and firearms
licences)
49
27A Family violence and firearms licences 49
39 New sections 27B and 27C inserted 49
27B Revocation and surrender of licence if holder becomes
disqualified
49
27C Revocation of suspended firearms or dealer’s licence 50
40 Section 28 amended (Effect of revocation or surrender of firearms
licence)
50
41 New cross-heading after section 28 inserted 50
Endorsements
42 Section 29 amended (Application for endorsements in respect of
pistol or restricted weapon)
51
43 Section 30 amended (Power to make endorsement in respect of
pistols or restricted weapons)
51
44 Section 30A replaced (Application for endorsement in respect of
prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine)
51
30A Application for endorsement in respect of prohibited
firearm or prohibited magazine
52
Arms Legislation Bill
4
45 Section 30B amended (Power to make endorsement in respect of
prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine)
52
46 New section 33C inserted (Duration of endorsements) 52
33C Duration of endorsements 52
47 Section 34 amended (Notification of change of address) 53
48 Section 34B amended (Effect of non-compliance with
requirements in relation to photographs or to calling-in of licences)
53
48A Cross-heading above section 35 replaced 53
Permits to possess pistols, restricted weapons, prohibited
firearms, prohibited magazines, and pistol carbine
conversion kits
49 Section 35 amended (Issue of permit to possess pistol or restricted
weapon)
54
49A New section 35AAA inserted (Issue of permit to possess pistol
carbine conversion kit)
54
35AAA Issue of permit to possess pistol carbine conversion kit 54
50 Section 35A amended (Issue of permit to possess prohibited
firearm or prohibited magazine)
55
51 Section 36 amended (Offence to carry pistol or restricted weapon
without authority)
55
52 Section 38 amended (Removal of pistol, prohibited firearm,
prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon out of New Zealand)
56
53 New Parts 6 and 7 inserted 56
Part 6
Shooting clubs and shooting ranges
38A Interpretation 56
Shooting clubs
38B Shooting club must have certificate of approval 57
38BA Shooting club must be incorporated society if
ammunition or firearms sold on its behalf
57
38C Application to have shooting club approved 57
38D Commissioner may make inquiries and request further
information
58
38E Decision on application for certificate of approval 58
38F Issue of certificate of approval 58
38G Duration of certificate of approval 58
38H Cancellation of certificate of approval 58
38I Renewal of certificate of approval 59
38I Club may have to reapply for certificate of approval 59
38J Annual reports 59
Shooting ranges
38K Shooting ranges must be certified 59
Arms Legislation Bill
5
38L Application to have shooting range certified 60
38M Commissioner may make inquiries and request further
information
60
38N Decision on application to have shooting range certified 60
38O Grant of certification 60
38P Certification granted subject to conditions 61
38Q Duration of certification 61
38R Cancellation of certification 61
38S Renewal of certification 61
Compliance
38T Inspections of shooting clubs and shooting ranges 62
38U Improvement notices 62
38V Suspension 63
Part 7
Direct access by certain government agencies to
registry
38W Interpretation 63
38X Relationship between this Part and other law 64
38Y Direct access to licence information 64
38Z Direct access to import and export information recorded
in registry
64
38ZA Direct access must be in accordance with direct access
agreement
64
38ZB Matters to which Ministers must have regard before
entering into direct access agreement
65
38ZC Consultation before entering into direct access agreement 65
38ZD Content of direct access agreements 65
38ZE Variation of direct access agreement 66
38ZF Publication of direct access agreements 66
54 Sections 39 to 41 and cross-heading repealed 66
55 New section 41A inserted (Marking of firearms) 66
41A Marking of firearms 67
56 Cross-heading above section 42 replaced 67
Part 8
Offences
57 Section 42 replaced (Offences in respect of licences) 67
42 Offences in respect of licences 67
58 Section 43 replaced (Selling or supplying firearm or airgun to
unlicensed person)
68
43 Selling or supplying firearm or airgun to unlicensed
person
68
58A Section 43AA replaced (Possessing, selling, or supplying
prohibited ammunition)
69
Arms Legislation Bill
6
43AA Selling or supplying prohibited ammunition 69
59 Section 43A replaced (Mail order sale of firearm or ammunition) 69
43A Mail order or Internet sale of arms items or ammunition 69
60 Section 43A repealed (Mail order sale of firearm or ammunition) 70
61 Section 43B repealed (Restriction on sale of ammunition) 70
62 Section 44 replaced (Selling or supplying pistol or restricted
weapon to person who does not hold permit to possess)
70
44 Selling or supplying pistol or restricted weapon to person
who does not hold permit to import or permit to possess
70
44AA Unlawful sale or supply of pistol carbine conversion kit 71
62A Section 44A amended (Offence to sell or supply prohibited firearm
or prohibited magazine)
71
63 Section 46 replaced (Carrying of imitation firearm, except for
lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose)
72
46 Carrying of imitation firearm, except for lawful, proper,
and sufficient purpose
72
64 Section 48 replaced (Discharging firearm, airgun, pistol, or
restricted weapon in or near dwellinghouse or public place)
72
48 Discharging firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon
in or near dwellinghouse or public place
72
64A New section 50AA inserted (Unlawful possession of pistol carbine
conversion kit)
72
50AA Unlawful possession of pistol carbine conversion kit 72
64B New section 50CA inserted (Unlawful possession of prohibited
ammunition)
73
50CA Unlawful possession of prohibited ammunition 73
65 Section 50D amended (Unlawfully carrying or possessing
prohibited firearm in public place)
73
66 Section 52 amended (Presenting firearm, airgun, pistol, or
restricted weapon at other person)
73
67 Section 53A amended (Use or attempted use of prohibited firearm
to resist or prevent arrest or commit offence)
73
68 Section 54 amended (Use or attempted use of firearm, etc, to resist
or prevent arrest or commit offence)
73
69 Section 55B amended (Offence of failing to produce firearm, etc,
on demand or to permit inspection of firearm, etc)
74
70 New sections 55C to 55I inserted 74
55C Offence of failing to produce firearm other than pistol,
restricted weapon, or prohibited firearm on demand or to
permit inspection of firearm
74
55D Offences relating to illegal manufacturing of certain arms
items
74
55E Offences relating to illegal trafficking of firearms, parts,
or ammunition
75
Arms Legislation Bill
7
55F Offences relating to falsifying firearm markings 76
55G Offences relating to removing or altering firearm
markings
76
55H Extraterritorial jurisdiction for offences against section
55D, 55E, 55F, or 55G
76
55I Attorney-General’s consent required 77
71 New section 58A inserted (Offences relating to registry) 77
58A Offences relating to registry 77
72 Section 59 amended (Unsafe firearms or pistols) 78
73 New Part 9 heading inserted 78
Part 9
Miscellaneous provisions
74 Section 59A amended (Surrender by licensed dealer of firearms,
etc)
78
74 Section 59A replaced (Surrender by licensed dealer of firearms,
etc)
78
59A Surrender by licensed dealer of firearms, etc 78
74A Section 59B replaced (Voluntary delivery to Police of firearms,
etc)
79
59B Voluntary delivery to Police of firearms, etc 79
75 New sections 60 to 60B inserted 79
60 Improvement notices 79
60A Temporary suspension of licence pending possible
revocation
80
60B Effect of temporary suspension of licence 81
76 Section 62 replaced (Right of appeal from official decisions) 82
62 Right of review of official decisions 82
62A How review to be conducted 83
62B Right of appeal to District Court 83
62C Further provisions relating to appeals 84
76A Section 63 amended (Appeal to District Court Judge in respect of
compensation)
85
77 Section 64 amended (Appeal on a question of law) 85
77A Section 65 amended (Restoration of articles seized) 85
78 Cross-heading above section 66 replaced 85
Other miscellaneous provisions
79 New sections 66A to 66D inserted 85
66A Loss, theft, or destruction of firearm, etc 85
66B Person in possession of firearm, etc, must give
identifying information to Police
86
66C Powers of Police to require surrender of airguns or
antique firearms
86
Arms Legislation Bill
8
66D Obligations of owner or operator of craft temporarily
visiting New Zealand and carrying firearms, etc
86
80 Section 69 replaced (Forfeitures) 87
69 Forfeitures 87
80A Section 70 amended (Authorising disposal of firearms, etc,
detained by Police)
88
81 Section 72A amended (Service of documents) 88
81A Section 73 amended (Savings in respect of carriers and persons
authorised to exercise powers of seizure)
88
82 Section 74 amended (Regulations) 88
82A Section 74A amended (Order in Council relating to definitions of
prohibited firearm and prohibited magazine, and declaring
prohibited ammunition)
92
82B Section 74C amended (Regulations providing for transitional
matters)
92
82C New section 74D inserted (Regulations providing for transitional
matters relating to Arms Legislation Act 2019)
92
74D Regulations providing for transitional matters relating to
Arms Legislation Act 2019
92
83 New sections 79 to 95 and cross-headings inserted 93
Cost recovery
79 Purpose of sections 80 to 86 93
80 Activities that may be subject to cost recovery 93
81 Criteria for cost recovery 94
82 Consultation 95
83 Methods of cost recovery 95
84 Payment of fee or charge 96
85 Exemptions, waivers, and refunds 96
86 Regulations relating to cost recovery 96
86 Regulations relating to cost recovery 97
Guidance notices
87 Guidance notices 97
Commissioner’s Firearms Advisory Group
88 Commissioner’s Firearms Advisory Group 98
89 Operations of advisory group 98
90 Provisions relating to appointment of members of
advisory group
98
90A Removal of members of advisory group 99
Medical assessments
91 Health practitioners may give Police medical reports of
persons unfit to use firearm
100
Arms Legislation Bill
9
Registration of firearms and dealings
92 Commissioner to keep registry 100
93 Content of registry 100
94 Obligation to provide information to registry 101
Review of operation of this Act
95 Review of this Act 102
84 New Part 2 of Schedule 1 inserted 102
Part 2
Amendments to other enactments
Subpart 1—Amendments to Extradition Act 1999
85 Amendments to Extradition Act 1999 102
Subpart 2—Amendment to Intelligence and Security Act 2017
86 Amendment to Intelligence and Security Act 2017 103
Subpart 3—Amendment to Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters
Act 1992
87 Amendment to Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992 103
Subpart 4—Consequential amendments
88 Consequential amendments to other enactments 104
Schedule 1
New Part 2 of Schedule 1 inserted
105
Schedule 2
Consequential amendments to other enactments
113
The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:
1 Title
This Act is the Arms Legislation Act 2019.
2 Commencement
(1) Section 82 and clause 17 of Schedule 1 come into force on the day after 5
the date on which this Act receives the Royal assent.
(2) The rest of this Act comes into force on a date appointed by the GovernorGeneral by Order in Council, and 1 or more orders may be made appointing
different dates for different provisions and for different purposes.
(3) Any provisions not previously brought into force under subsection (1) or (2) 10
come into force on 1 December 2021.
(4) In this section, provision includes—
(a) a new section or other provision inserted into the principal Act by a section of this Act:
cl 1 Arms Legislation Bill
10
(b) any item, or any part of an item, in any of the schedules.
2 Commencement
(1) The following provisions come into force on the day after the date on which
this Act receives the Royal assent:
(a) sections 3 to 9, 10A, 11A to 15, 17 to 30, 37, 37A, 40, 41, 42(1), 5
(2), and (4) to (6), 43 to 52, 54 to 59, 62 to 70, 72 to 74A, 76A,
77A, and 78 to 82C:
(b) section 10, to the extent that it relates to new section 5C of the principal Act:
(c) section 31, to the extent that it relates to new section 22E of the prin- 10
cipal Act:
(d) section 83, to the extent that it relates to new sections 79 to 90A
and 95 of the principal Act:
(e) section 84 and Schedule 1, to the extent that they relate to new
clauses 8 to 10, 13, 16A to 16E, and 17 of Schedule 1 of the prin- 15
cipal Act.
(2) The following provisions come into force 6 months after the date on which this
Act receives the Royal assent:
(a) section 31, to the extent that it relates to new sections 22A to 22D
and 22F of the principal Act: 20
(b) sections 32 to 36, 38, and 39:
(c) section 61:
(d) sections 75 to 76 and 77:
(e) section 83, to the extent that it relates to new section 91 of the principal Act: 25
(f) section 84 and Schedule 1, to the extent that they relate to new
clauses 11 and 12 of Schedule 1 of the principal Act:
(g) section 86.
(3) The following provisions come into force 12 months after the date on which
this Act receives the Royal assent: 30
(a) section 10, to the extent that it relates to new sections 5 to 5B and
6 of the principal Act:
(b) section 11:
(c) section 16.
(4) The following provisions come into force 2 years after the date on which this 35
Act receives the Royal assent:
(a) section 42(3):
Arms Legislation Bill cl 2
11
(b) section 53, to the extent that it relates to new sections 38A to 38V
of the principal Act:
(c) section 84 and Schedule 1, to the extent that they relate to new
clauses 14 and 15 of Schedule 1 of the principal Act.
(5) The following provisions come into force 2 years after the date on which this 5
Act receives the Royal assent, unless brought into force earlier under subsection (6):
(a) section 53, to the extent that it relates to new sections 38W to 38ZF
of the principal Act:
(b) section 71: 10
(c) section 83, to the extent that it relates to new sections 92 to 94 of
the principal Act:
(d) section 84 and Schedule 1, to the extent that they relate to new
clause 16 of Schedule 1 of the principal Act:
(e) section 88: 15
(f) any other provision whose commencement is not provided for by subsections (1) to (4).
(6) Sections 85 and 87 come into force on a date appointed by the GovernorGeneral by Order in Council.
(7) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, appoint commencement 20
dates for the purposes of subsections (5) and (6), and 1 or more orders may
be made appointing different dates for different provisions and for different
purposes.
Part 1
Amendments to Arms Act 1983 25
3 Principal Act
This Part amends the Arms Act 1983 (the principal Act).
4 Long Title repealed
Repeal the Long Title.
5 New Part 1 heading and section 1A inserted 30
After section 1, insert:
Part 1 cl 3 Arms Legislation Bill
12
Part 1
Preliminary provisions
1A Purposes of this Act
(1) The purposes of this Act are to—
(a) promote the safe possession and use of firearms and other weapons; and 5
(b) impose controls on the possession and use of firearms and other
weapons.
(2) The regulatory regime established by this Act to achieve those purposes
reflects the following principles:
(a) that the possession and use of arms is a privilege; and 10
(b) that persons authorised to import, manufacture, supply, sell, possess, or
use arms have a responsibility to act in the interests of personal and public safety.
6 Section 2 amended (Interpretation)
(1) In section 2(1), insert in their appropriate alphabetical order: 15
air pistol carbine conversion kit—
(a) means a frame or kit that may be used to convert an air pistol that is
designed or adapted to be held and fired with 1 hand into an airgun that
may be fired from the shoulder; but
(b) does not include a pistol carbine conversion kit 20
ammunition seller means a person who is responsible for the day-to-day management of a business that includes selling or supplying ammunition
ammunition seller—
(a) means a person who is responsible for the day-to-day management of a
business that includes selling or supplying ammunition; but 25
(b) does not include—
(i) a licensed dealer; and
(ii) a member of a shooting club, if the member sells ammunition—
(A) to a club member, or on club premises, with the approval of
the management committee of the club or a majority vote of 30
club members; and
(B) the sales revenue is used for the benefit of the club
arms item means an item of any of the following classes of arms:
(a) firearms (including prohibited firearms):
(b) magazines (including prohibited magazines): 35
(c) parts (including prohibited parts):
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 6
13
(d) airguns:
(e) pistols:
(f) restricted weapons:
(g) pistol carbine conversion kits
blank-firing gun— 5
(a) means anything that—
(i) has the shape of a firearm or restricted weapon, or otherwise
resembles a firearm or restricted weapon; and
(ii) is capable of firing blank cartridges, but incapable of discharging
any shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile; and 10
(b) includes a starting pistol that fires a blank cartridge or a cap
Customs officer has the meaning given in section 5(1) of the Customs and
Excise Act 2018
dealer activity means any activity of a kind specified in section 5(1)
health practitioner has the meaning given in section 5(1) of the Health Practi- 15
tioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 means a health practitioner registered
with the Medical Council of New Zealand, a nurse practitioner registered with
the Nursing Council of New Zealand, a psychologist registered with the New
Zealand Psychologists Board, or a duly authorised officer under the Mental
Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 20
improvement notice means a notice issued under section 60
manufacture, in relation to an item, includes the assembly of that item
pistol carbine conversion kit—
(a) means a frame or kit that may be used to convert a pistol (not being an
air pistol) that is designed or adapted to be held and fired with 1 hand 25
and that has an overall length of no more than 400 millimetres into a
firearm that may be fired from the shoulder; and
(b) includes a frame or kit described in paragraph (a) that is also capable
of being used as an air pistol carbine conversion kit
registry means the registry kept and operated under section 92 30
semi-automatic pistol means a firearm that is designed or adapted to be held
and fired with 1 hand, including any firearm that is less than 762 millimetres in
length and that when loaded, with each pull of the trigger,—
(a) fires a cartridge and ejects the cartridge case; and
(b) automatically loads another cartridge in the firearm’s chamber (unless all 35
loaded cartridges have been fired)
senior manager, in relation to a body corporate, means a person who is not a
director but occupies a position that allows the person to exercise significant
Part 1 cl 6 Arms Legislation Bill
14
influence over the management or administration of the body corporate (for
example, a chief executive)
shooting club has the meaning given in section 38A
small semi-automatic pistol means a semi-automatic pistol that—
(a) has an overall length of 400 millimetres or less, excluding any silencer, 5
pistol carbine conversion kit, or other muzzle-fitting attachment; and
(b) has a barrel length of 101 millimetres or more; and
(c) is capable of firing specified ammunition only at a muzzle velocity of
1,600 feet per second or less; and
(d) is suitable for shooting on a certified pistol range 10
specified ammunition means ammunition of a type specified in the rules of
the target pistol shooting disciplines approved by the Commissioner and
administered by the national pistol target shooting controlling body known as
Pistol New Zealand Incorporated
theatrical armourer means a person who holds a current endorsement under 15
section 29(2)(e) and is recognised by the Police as having the required competence to supervise the use and secure storage of firearms and restricted
weapons during theatrical, cinematic, television, film, or video productions
visitor means a visitor to New Zealand who intends to be in New Zealand for
less than 1 year 20
(2) In section 2(1), replace the definition of antique firearm with:
antique firearm—
(a) means—
(i) any firearm that—
(A) is held in the possession of any person solely as an antique 25
(but not as a copy or replica of an antique); and
(B) is not designed for firing, and is not capable of firing, rimfire or centerfire cartridge ammunition; or
(ii) any firearm declared by regulations made under this Act to be an
antique firearm for the purposes of this Act; but 30
(b) does not include any firearm manufactured after 1899
(3) In section 2(1), repeal the definition of arms office.
(4) In section 2(1), definition of part, paragraph (d), after “folding or telescopic
stock,”, insert “silencer,”.
(4) In section 2(1), replace the definition of part with: 35
part, in relation to any firearm or restricted weapon—
(a) means—
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 6
15
(i) any component that, of itself, is essential to the discharge of any
shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile from the firearm or restricted weapon; and
(ii) any component that is exclusively designed to be, or is intended to
be, an integral part of the firearm or restricted weapon (for 5
example, a butt, stock, magazine, or other component that feeds or
contributes to feeding ammunition to the firearm or restricted
weapon); and
(b) includes the following components or accessories that can be fitted to, or
adapted to fit, a firearm or restricted weapon: 10
(i) grips:
(ii) frames:
(iii) chassis systems:
(iv) conversion kits:
(v) magazine couplers: 15
(vi) magazine loaders:
(vii) flash suppressors:
(viii) silencers:
(ix) folding or telescoping stocks
(5) In section 2(1), replace the definition of pistol with: 20
pistol means a firearm (other than a prohibited firearm or restricted weapon)
that is designed or adapted to be held and fired with 1 hand, and includes any
firearm (other than a prohibited firearm or restricted weapon) that is less than
762 millimetres in length
6A Section 2A replaced (Meaning of prohibited firearm) 25
Replace section 2A with:
2A Meaning of prohibited firearm
(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, prohibited firearm—
(a) means any of the following firearms:
(i) a semi-automatic firearm, other than— 30
(A) a specified semi-automatic firearm:
(B) a semi-automatic shotgun with a non-detachable tubular
magazine or magazines that are capable of holding no more
than 5 cartridges commensurate with that firearm’s chamber size: 35
(C) a small semi-automatic pistol:
Part 1 cl 6A Arms Legislation Bill
16
(D) a semi-automatic pistol (not being a small semi-automatic
pistol) held by a person referred to in subsection (3):
(ii) a pump-action shotgun that is capable of being used with a
detachable magazine:
(iii) a pump-action shotgun that has a non-detachable tubular maga- 5
zine or magazines that are capable of holding more than 5 cartridges commensurate with that firearm’s chamber size:
(iv) a centrefire pump-action rifle that is capable of being used with a
detachable magazine:
(v) a centrefire pump-action rifle that has 1 or more non-detachable 10
magazines (tubular or otherwise) that are capable of holding more
than 10 cartridges commensurate with that firearm’s chamber size;
and
(b) includes any other firearm declared by Order in Council made under section 74A to be a prohibited firearm for the purposes of this Act. 15
(2) In subsection (1)(a)(i)(A), specified semi-automatic firearm means a semiautomatic firearm—
(a) that is capable of firing only 0.22 calibre or lower rimfire cartridges and
that has a magazine, whether or not detachable or otherwise externally
fed, that is capable of holding no more than 10 cartridges commensurate 20
with the firearm’s chamber size; and
(b) if the firearm has a lower receiver, the lower receiver is not able to be
attached to a centrefire upper receiver so that the resulting firearm is able
to function.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a)(i)(D), the person is the holder of a fire- 25
arms licence—
(a) if the person’s licence bears an endorsement made under section 30 permitting the holder to possess the semi-automatic pistol in the capacity
referred to in section 29(2)(b), (c), (d), or (e); and
(b) the person has been issued with a permit to import the pistol (under sec- 30
tion 18) or a permit to possess the pistol (under section 35).
6B Section 2B amended (Meaning of prohibited magazine)
In section 2B(b), replace “(except a pistol)” with “(except a pistol described in
section 2A(1)(a)(i)(C) or (D))”.
7 Section 3 amended (Act to bind the Crown) 35
(1A) In section 3(2), replace “possession of firearms, airguns, pistols, magazines,
parts, restricted weapons,” with “possession of arms items,”.
(1) In section 3(2)(a)(ii)., after “employed”, insert “or engaged”.
(2) Replace section 3(2)(a)(v) with:
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 7
17
(v) a person authorised by the Commissioner or the Chief of Defence
Force to provide training to members of their respective organisations referred to in this paragraph in the use of any firearm, pistol,
restricted weapon, ammunition, magazine, part, arms item, ammunition, or explosive; or 5
(va) a civilian employee of the Ministry of Defence, so long as the person carries or possesses any firearms or other items regulated by
or under this Act under the direct supervision of a member of the
New Zealand Defence Force; or
(vb) a Customs officer; or 10
(2A) In section 3(2)(b), replace “firearms, airguns, pistols, magazines, parts, restricted weapons,” with “arms items,”.
(2B) In section 3(3)(a) and (b), replace “firearms, airguns, pistols, magazines, parts,
restricted weapons,” with “arms items,”.
(3) After section 3(3)(a), insert: 15
(ab) the importation or possession by any agent of the Crown of firearms, airguns, pistols, magazines, parts, restricted weapons, arms items, ammunition, or explosives imported on behalf of the Crown, so long as the
importation or possession is within the scope of the agent’s written
authority; or 20
(ac) the manufacture by the Crown, or on behalf of the Crown by any agent
of the Crown, of any firearms, airguns, pistols, magazines, parts, restricted weapons, arms items, ammunition, or explosives, so long as any
assembly or manufacture by an agent is within the scope of the agent’s
written authority; or 25
(4) After section 3(3), insert:
(4) Nothing in this Act makes unlawful the importation, carriage, or possession of
any firearm or other item regulated by or under this Act by any person who is a
visiting law enforcement officer from another country and is authorised by the
Commissioner to import, carry, the firearm or other item into New Zealand or 30
to carry or possess the firearm or other item while in New Zealand.
(5) The following requirements of this Act do not apply in relation to any firearms,
airguns, pistols, magazines, parts, restricted weapons, arms items, ammunition,
or explosives, or other items regulated by or under this Act that are owned by
the Crown, except to the extent provided by regulations made under section 74: 35
(a) any requirement to notify or report any event or circumstance to the
Police:
(b) any requirement to mark any firearm or other item with a unique number
an identifying marking:
(c) any requirement to provide any particulars to the Police for inclusion in 40
the registry:
Part 1 cl 7 Arms Legislation Bill
18
(d) any requirement to record any particulars, whether in the registry or elsewhere.
(6) No prosecution for an offence against any of sections 55D, 55E, 55F, and
55G may be commenced or continued against any constable in respect of any
act committed by them at a time or during a period when they were acting as an 5
undercover officer, except with the leave of the Attorney-General.
(7) In subsection (6), undercover officer—
(a) means a constable whose identity is for the time being concealed for the
purpose of a particular investigation of any suspected offence against
any of sections 55D, 55E, 55F, and 55G; and 10
(b) includes any other constable who is for the time being directing or assisting that constable in the course of that investigation.
(8) A certificate signed by the Commissioner to the effect that, at any specified
time or during any specified period, the constable named in the certificate was
acting as an undercover officer is, for the purposes of subsection (6), conclu- 15
sive evidence of that fact.
8 Section 4A amended (Persons who may apply to import, sell, supply,
possess, or use prohibited items)
(1) In the heading to section 4A, after “import, ”, insert “manufacture, ”.
(2) In section 4A(1)(a), delete “or an employee or agent of a licensed dealer”. 20
(3) After section 4A(1), insert:
(1A) A person who before 12 April 2019 was in the business of manufacturing prohibited parts for the purposes of permitted supply is an exempt person in their
capacity as a manufacturing business if the person continues, for the purposes
of permitted supply, to manufacture prohibited parts. 25
(1B) A person who before 12 April 2019 was in the business of permitted supply is
an exempt person in their capacity as a permitted supply business if the person
continues, for the purposes of carrying out permitted supply, to use prohibited
items to test and demonstrate prohibited parts.
(1C) A person employed or engaged by a person referred to in subsection (1A) or 30
(1B) is an exempt person for the purpose of carrying out their duties in accordance with their contract of employment or engagement.
(4) After section 4A(2), insert:
(3) In this section, permitted supply means—
(a) the supply of prohibited parts to the Crown that is permitted under sec- 35
tion 3(2) or (3):
(b) the export of prohibited parts to any person that is permitted or authorised under the Customs and Excise Act 2018:
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 8
19
(c) the supply of prohibited parts to other persons expressly permitted or
authorised under this Act to possess prohibited parts (other than by
clause 5 of Schedule 1).
9 Cross-heading above section 5 replaced
Replace the cross-heading above section 5 with: 5
Part 2
Licensed dealers
10 Sections 5 and 6 replaced
Replace sections 5 and 6 with:
5 Dealers to be licensed 10
(1) A person other than a body corporate must not carry on any of the following
activities in relation to a class of arms items without a dealer’s licence that
authorises the person to carry on the activity in relation to that class of arms
items:
(a) selling, hiring, lending, or otherwise supplying, in the course of carrying 15
on business, carrying on the business of selling, hiring, lending, or otherwise supplying a class of arms items:
(b) possessing, for the purposes of an auction, a class of arms items:
(c) repairing or modifying, in the course of carrying on business, carrying
on the business of repairing or modifying a class of arms items: 20
(d) displaying, as the director or curator of a bona fide museum, a class of
arms items:
(e) carrying on the business of manufacturing for sale, hire, lending, or other
supply a class of arms items:
(f) manufacturing (for the purposes of permitted supply (as defined in sec- 25
tion 4A(3))) prohibited parts and using prohibited items to test and
demonstrate those prohibited parts.
(1A) A body corporate must not carry on any of the activities specified in subsection (1) in relation to a class of arms items unless a senior manager of the body
corporate has a dealer’s licence authorising the senior manager to carry on the 30
activities in relation to the class of arms items.
(1B) A licensed dealer must not operate from 2 or more places of business carrying
on any of the activities specified in subsection (1) in relation to a class of
arms items unless the manager of each place of business has a dealer’s licence
authorising the manager to carry on the activity in relation to the class of arms 35
items.
Part 1 cl 9 Arms Legislation Bill
20
(1C) Despite subsections (1) and (1A), a dealer’s licence is not required for the
following activities:
(a) commercial hunting guide services by a firearms licence holder who during the provision of those services supplies no more than 6 firearms to 1
or more clients: 5
(b) the selling, hiring, lending, or supplying of firearms by a member of a
shooting club, if the member—
(i) sells, hires, lends, or supplies firearms to a club member, or on
club premises, with the approval of the management committee of
the club or a majority vote of club members; and 10
(ii) the revenue from the sale, hire, lending, or supply of the firearms
is used for the benefit of the club.
(2) A dealer’s licence may not be issued for the carrying on of any of the activities
specified in subsection (1) in relation to—
(a) anti-personnel mines; or 15
(b) cluster munitions.
(3) Despite subsection (1), a body corporate may carry on any of the activities
specified in that subsection in relation to a class of arms items if a senior manager of the body corporate has a dealer’s licence authorising the senior manager to carry on the activities in relation to the class of arms items. 20
(4) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person,
without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1).
5A Application for dealer’s licence
(1) An application for a dealer’s licence must— 25
(a) be made on a form provided by a member of the Police, or in any way
approved by a member of the Police; and
(b) specify—
(i) the dealer activities for which the dealer’s licence is sought; and
(ii) the class or classes of arms items in respect of which those activ- 30
ities will be carried on.; and
(iii) if the dealer intends to operate from 2 or more places of business,
the name of the manager of each place of business and the address
of each place of business.
(2) An application for a dealer’s licence to carry on or manage the dealer activity 35
specified in section 5(1)(e) in relation to the manufacture of any prohibited
items may only be made by a person described in section 4A(1A).
(3) An application for a dealer’s licence to carry on the dealer activity specified in
section 5(1)(f) may only be made by a person described in section 4A(1A).
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 10
21
5B Issue of dealer’s licence
(1) A commissioned officer of Police may issue a dealer’s licence to an applicant
authorising the applicant to carry on 1 or more dealer activities in respect of 1
or more classes of arms items if—
(a) the applicant holds a firearms licence; and 5
(b) the commissioned officer of Police is satisfied that the applicant—
(i) is a fit and proper person to carry on the dealer activity or activities; and
(ii) has secure storage facilities appropriate for the class and number
of arms items and any ammunition that may be possessed in the 10
course of carrying out the activity or activities.
(2) A dealer’s licence that is issued to an applicant for the carrying on of a dealer
activity in respect of any of the following classes of arms items must bear an
appropriate endorsement made under section 30 or 30B:
(a) prohibited firearms: 15
(b) prohibited magazines:
(c) pistols:
(d) restricted weapons.:
(e) pistol carbine conversion kits.
(3) A dealer’s licence is personal to the person to whom it is issued, and may not 20
be transferred to any other person, and must specify—
(a) the dealer activity or activities the person may carry on; and
(b) the class or classes of arms items in respect of which that activity or
those activities may be carried on.
(4) However, if the person to whom a dealer’s licence is issued is a senior manager 25
of a body corporate, the senior manager may, on behalf of the body corporate,
carry out the dealer activities specified in the dealer’s licence in relation to the
class or classes of arms items specified in the dealer’s licence.
5C On-site theatrical armourers to supervise firearms use in certain cases
(1) This section applies if a holder of a dealer’s licence hires out firearms for use 30
by a bona fide theatre company or society or cinematic or television film production company or video recording production company.
(2) The use of those firearms by members of the company or society must be
supervised by an on-site theatrical armourer.
6 Fit and proper person to hold dealer’s licence 35
In deciding whether, for the purposes of section 5B(1)(b)(i), an applicant is a
fit and proper person to hold a dealer’s licence, the commissioned officer of
Police—
Part 1 cl 10 Arms Legislation Bill
22
(a) must take into account the character and reputation of the applicant, and
whether the applicant—
(i) has the competencies and resources to carry on the dealer activity
or activities for which the dealer’s licence is sought; and
(ii) has ever been adjudicated bankrupt, or been a director of a com- 5
pany that has been put into receivership or liquidation in New
Zealand or overseas; and
(iii) has any convictions; and
(iv) has a sound knowledge of firearms; and
(v) understands the legal obligations of a holder of a dealer’s licence; 10
and
(vi) understands the legal obligations of a holder of a firearms licence,
including an understanding of the endorsements that may be made
on a firearms licence, and is able to provide advice on those obligations; and 15
(b) in the case of an applicant who is a senior manager of a body corporate,
and who, in reliance on section 5(3) 5(1A), is applying for a dealer’s
licence to enable the body corporate to carry on a dealer activity, the
commissioned officer of Police must take into account whether—
(i) the body corporate has suitable staff; and 20
(ii) the body corporate has appropriate record-keeping systems and
other systems to comply with the requirements of this Act and any
regulations made under this Act; and
(iii) the applicant will have if the body corporate operates from 2 or
more places of business, there will be, at each of those places, a 25
manager who has appropriate oversight and control of the proposed dealer activity or activities for which the dealer’s licence is
sought to be carried on at that place; and
(c) may take into account any other matters the commissioned officer of
Police considers relevant. 30
10A Section 6A amended (Conditions of dealer’s licence)
(1) In section 6A(1), replace “possession of a pistol,” with “possession of a pistol,
pistol carbine conversion kit,”.
(2) In section 6A(1)(a), replace “produce that pistol,” with “produce that pistol,
pistol carbine conversion kit,”. 35
(3) In section 6A(1)(b), replace “inspect the pistol,” with “inspect the pistol, pistol
carbine conversion kit,”.
(4) In section 6A(2)(a) and (b), replace “possession of the pistol,” with “possession
of the pistol, pistol carbine conversion kit,”.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 10A
23
11 New section 6B inserted (Special condition of dealer’s licence relating to
manufacture of firearms, etc)
After section 6A, insert:
6B Special condition of dealer’s licence relating to manufacture of firearms,
etc 5
(1) Every dealer’s licence issued for the purpose of carrying on a dealer activity
relating to the manufacture for sale, hire, lending, or other supply of any of the
following classes of arms items items is issued subject to the condition in subsection (2):
(a) non-prohibited firearms: 10
(b) non-prohibited magazines:
(c) non-prohibited parts:
(d) airguns:
(e) pistols:
(f) restricted weapons. 15
(a) pistols:
(b) restricted weapons:
(c) pistol carbine conversion kits:
(d) air pistol carbine conversion kits.
(2) Before manufacturing of any class of arms items items referred to in subsec- 20
tion (1), a dealer must obtain the Commissioner’s written approval for the
manufacture of that class of item.—
(a) apply to the Commissioner for approval to manufacture that class of
item, stating in the application the number of items intended to be manufactured; and 25
(b) obtain the Commissioner’s written approval for the manufacture of that
class of item.
(3) An approval may, for any class of arms items specified in subsection (1),
specify the number, or maximum number, of arms items of that class that the
dealer may manufacture. 30
(4) The Commissioner, when considering whether to approve before approving the
manufacture of any class of arms items items specified in subsection (1)(a),
(b), or (c), must be satisfied that there are special reasons why the arms items
that are proposed to be manufactured should be in New Zealand.
(5) The Commissioner must, before approving the manufacture of air pistol car- 35
bine conversion kits, also be satisfied that the kits are for the personal use of a
member of an airsoft or paintball club that is affiliated with a national airsoft or
paintball organisation.
Part 1 cl 11 Arms Legislation Bill
24
11A Section 7 replaced (Place of business)
Replace section 7 with:
7 Place of business
(1) A dealer’s licence may be issued in respect of a single place of business only.
(2) However, any firearms belonging to the business may be handled at any other 5
site if—
(a) the dealer hires out the firearms for use by a bona fide theatre company
or society or cinematic or television film production company or video
recording production company, and—
(i) the handling and secure storage of the firearms at that site is 10
supervised by a theatrical armourer; and
(ii) the armourer’s endorsement under section 29(2)(e) specifies—
(A) that the firearms may be handled at sites other than the
dealer’s place of business; and
(B) that the armourer must hold written consent from a member 15
of the Police that specifies the location of the site, and the
duration and description of the theatrical production at that
site:
(b) in any other case, the dealer’s licence contains a condition allowing the
dealer to carry on activities on an occasional basis at places other than 20
the dealer’s place of business specified in the licence.
(3) For the purpose of subsection (2)(b), a dealer’s licence may be issued with a
condition described in that provision and other conditions necessary to provide
for the safe use and secure storage of the firearms concerned.
12 Section 7A amended (Gun shows) 25
(1) In section 7A(1), replace “sections 6 and 7” with “section 7”.
(2) Replace section 7A(3) with:
(3) Any consent given under subsection (1) may be given subject to any conditions
specified by the commissioned officer of Police.
(3) Repeal section 7A(4). 30
13 Section 9 amended (Revocation of dealer’s licence)
In section 9, insert as subsection (2):
(2) When a dealer’s licence is revoked,—
(a) the dealer must immediately surrender the licence to a member of the
Police; and 35
(b) an employee of the dealer may not carry on a dealer activity for the
dealer.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 13
25
14 Section 10 amended (Restriction on possession of pistol, prohibited items,
or restricted weapon by licensed dealer)
(1) In the heading to section 10, replace “prohibited items,” with “prohibited
firearm, prohibited magazine,”.
(1) Replace the heading to section 10 with “Restriction on possession of prohibi- 5
ted firearms, prohibited magazines, pistols, restricted weapons, and pistol
carbine conversion kits”.
(2) Replace section 10(1) with:
(1) A licensed dealer may not take an arms item that is a pistol, restricted weapon,
prohibited firearm, or prohibited magazine into their possession for the purpose 10
of carrying on a dealer activity, unless the licensed dealer—
(a) is the holder of a dealer’s licence that—
(i) specifies that the dealer may carry on that activity in respect of a
pistol, restricted weapon, prohibited firearm, or prohibited magazine; and 15
(ii) bears an appropriate endorsement made under section 30 or 30B;
and
(b) obtains the arms item under—
(i) a permit to import issued under section 18; or
(ii) a permit to possess issued under section 35 or 35A from— 20
(A) the holder of a firearms licence endorsed under section 30
or 30B; or
(B) another licensed dealer.
(2) Replace section 10(1) with:
(1) A licensed dealer may not take an arms item that is a prohibited firearm, pro- 25
hibited magazine, pistol, restricted weapon, or pistol carbine conversion kit
into their possession for the purpose of carrying on a dealer activity unless the
licensed dealer—
(a) is the holder of a dealer’s licence that—
(i) specifies that the dealer may carry on that activity in respect of a 30
prohibited firearm, prohibited magazine, pistol, restricted weapon,
or pistol carbine conversion kit; and
(ii) bears an appropriate endorsement made under section 30 or 30B;
and
(b) either— 35
(i) obtains the arms item under—
(A) a permit to import issued under section 18 or 18AA; or
Part 1 cl 14 Arms Legislation Bill
26
(B) a permit to possess issued under section 35, 35A, or
35AAA; or
(ii) manufactures it with the written approval of the Commissioner
under section 6B(2).
(2A) In section 10(2)(c), after “dealer”, insert “whose dealer’s licence bears an 5
endorsement made under section 30B to possess prohibited firearms”.
(3) Replace section 10(3) with:
(3) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person,
without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1) or (2). 10
15 Section 11 replaced (Dealers and their employees and agents to hold
firearms licences)
Replace section 11 with:
11 Employees of licensed dealer to hold firearms licence bearing appropriate
endorsements 15
(1) An employee of a licensed dealer must not perform any duties that include
carrying on a dealer activity unless the employee holds a firearms licence.
(2) If the employee’s duties include the carrying on of a dealer activity in respect
of pistols, pistol carbine conversion kits, restricted weapons, prohibited firearms, or prohibited magazines, the employee’s firearms licence must also bear 20
appropriate endorsements made under section 30 or 30B that authorise the
employee to possess any such items in connection with their duties as an
employee of the licensed dealer.
(3) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes this section. 25
16 Section 12 amended (Record of dealings by licensed dealers)
(1) Replace section 12(1) with:
(1) A licensed dealer must keep at the place of business referred to in their licence
a book that records the particulars prescribed by regulations made under this
Act relating to— 30
(a) the transactions conducted in the course of carrying on a dealer activity;
and
(b) the firearms, airguns, pistols, prohibited items, or restricted weapons
arms items and ammunition received, sold, supplied, or manufactured in
the course of carrying on their business. 35
(1A) A licensed dealer who keeps their book under subsection (1) in hard copy
form must retain the book for at least 10 years from the date of the last entry in
the book.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 16
27
(1B) A licensed dealer who keeps their book under subsection (1) electronically
must retain each electronic record for at least 10 years from the date on which
the record is entered.
(1A) In section 12(2)(b) and (c), after “pistols,” insert “pistol carbine conversion
kits,” in each place. 5
(2) After section 12(2), insert:
(2A) If a person’s dealer’s licence is revoked or surrendered under this Act, the person must immediately surrender to a member of the Police every book and
associated document kept by the person for the purposes of this section all
records they are required by this section to keep that have not been entered in 10
the registry.
(3) Replace section 12(3) with:
(3) Every A licensed dealer commits an offence and is liable on conviction to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding
$10,000, if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection 15
(1), (2) or (2A).
(4) After section 12(4), insert:
(5) Despite subsection (1), a licensed dealer need not record particulars under
that subsection if—
(a) the particulars are declared by regulations made under section 74 to be 20
exempt from the requirement in that subsection; or
(b) the dealer provides the particulars to the Police for inclusion in the registry in accordance with the regulations.
17 Section 13 amended (Seizure of firearms, ammunition, airguns, pistols,
prohibited items, and restricted weapons held by licensed dealers) 25
(1) Replace the heading to section 13 with “Seizure of items held by licensed
dealer”.
(2) In section 13(1), (2), (4), and (5), after “firearms,”, insert “magazines, parts,”.
(3) In section 13(1), (2), (4), and (5), after “pistols,”, insert “pistol carbine conversion kits,”. 30
18 Section 14 amended (Disposal of firearms, ammunition, airguns, pistols,
prohibited items, and restricted weapons of dealer whose licence is
revoked)
(1) Replace the heading to section 14 with “Disposal of items of dealer whose
licence is revoked”. 35
(1A) In section 14, delete “under section 9”.
(2) In section 14, after “firearms,”, insert “magazines,”.
(3) In section 14, after “pistols,”, insert “pistol carbine conversion kits,”.
Part 1 cl 17 Arms Legislation Bill
28
19 Section 15 replaced (Offence for licensed dealer to carry on business
following revocation of his licence)
Replace section 15 with:
15 Offence to carry on dealer activities following revocation of dealer’s
licence 5
(1) A licensed dealer whose dealer’s licence is revoked under section 9 or 27C
may not—
(a) carry on any dealer activity; or
(b) have any business interest in any of the kinds of items specified in section 14. 10
(2) However, nothing in subsection (1) applies to a dealer who—
(a) sells or otherwise disposes of any of the kinds of items specified in section 14 in accordance with that section; or
(b) after the revocation of their dealer’s licence is, at any subsequent time,
issued with another dealer’s licence. 15
(3) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 1 year, or to a fine not exceeding $15,000, if the person,
without reasonable excuse, contravenes this section.
20 Cross-heading above section 16 replaced
Replace the cross-heading above section 16 with: 20
Part 3
Permits to import
21 Section 16 replaced (Offence to import firearms, etc, without permit)
Replace section 16 with:
16 Offence to import firearms, etc, without permit 25
(1) A person must have a permit to bring or cause to be brought into or sent within
into New Zealand any of the following items:
(a) a firearm (other than a prohibited firearm), pistol, restricted airgun,
restricted weapon, or blank-firing gun:
(b) any part of a firearm (other than a prohibited firearm), pistol, restricted 30
weapon, or blank-firing gun:
(c) non-prohibited ammunition (other than projectiles for airguns):
(ca) a pistol carbine conversion kit:
(cb) an air pistol carbine conversion kit:
(d) a prohibited item.: 35
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 21
29
(e) prohibited ammunition that is authorised or permitted expressly by or
pursuant to this Act to be possessed.
(2) In subsection (1), New Zealand does not include the harbours and other territorial waters of New Zealand.
(3) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a 5
term not exceeding 1 year, or to a fine not exceeding $15,000, if the person,
without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1)(a), (b), or (c), (ca),
or (cb).
(4) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 5 years if the person, without reasonable excuse, contra- 10
venes subsection (1)(d) or (e).
22 Section 16A replaced (Offence to import prohibited ammunition)
Replace section 16A with:
16A Offence to import prohibited ammunition
(1) A person must not, without reasonable cause excuse, bring or cause to be 15
brought or sent into New Zealand any prohibited ammunition that is not
authorised or permitted expressly by or pursuant to this Act to be possessed.
(2) In subsection (1), New Zealand does not include the harbours and other territorial waters of New Zealand.
(3) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a 20
term not exceeding 5 years if the person contravenes subsection (1).
23 Section 17 repealed (Burden of proof)
Repeal section 17.
24 Section 18 amended (Issue of permit to import)
(1) In section 18(1), replace “starting pistols, restricted airguns, prohibited maga- 25
zines, prohibited parts, or restricted weapons” with “restricted airguns, restricted weapons, blank-firing guns, prohibited magazines, prohibited parts, or nonprohibited ammunition”.
(2) In section 18(2)(a), replace “starting pistol” with “blank-firing gun”.
(3) After section 18(2)(b), insert: 30
(c) any non-prohibited ammunition.
(4) Replace section 18(4) with:
(4) A permit issued for the purposes of section 16(1)—
(a) may be revoked at any time by a commissioned officer of Police; and
(b) is automatically revoked if— 35
(i) the applicant’s firearms licence is revoked; or
Part 1 cl 22 Arms Legislation Bill
30
(ii) the applicant’s dealer’s licence is revoked (if the applicant is a
licensed dealer); or
(iii) the firearms licence of the person for whom a licensed dealer is
acting as agent is revoked.
(5) After section 18(5), insert: 5
(6) A permit may be issued under subsection (2) or (2A) in relation to items that
are to be brought into or sent within New Zealand in a single consignment at
the same time.
(7) If, subsequent to the issue of a permit referred to in subsection (6), any item
to which the permit relates is not included in the consignment (an outstanding 10
item), the permit ceases to apply to that outstanding item.
24 Section 18 replaced (Issue of permit to import)
Replace section 18 with:
18 Issue of permit to import firearms, etc
(1) A member of the Police to whom an application is made for the issue of a per- 15
mit to import any item described in section 16(1)(a) to (e) may require the
applicant to produce for examination and testing samples of any item of the
kind referred to in the application that the member of the Police considers
necessary.
(2) A member of the Police may grant an application for the issue of a permit to 20
import any of the following items:
(a) a non-prohibited firearm:
(b) a blank-firing gun:
(c) any part of an item described in paragraph (a) or (b):
(d) any non-prohibited ammunition. 25
(3) The Commissioner may grant an application for the issue of a permit to import
any of the following items:
(a) a prohibited firearm:
(b) a prohibited magazine:
(c) a prohibited part: 30
(d) a pistol:
(e) a restricted airgun:
(f) a restricted weapon:
(g) any part of a pistol or restricted weapon:
(h) any prohibited ammunition that is authorised or permitted expressly by 35
or pursuant to this Act to be possessed.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 24
31
(4) The Commissioner may issue a permit under subsection (3) in respect of an
item only if—
(a) the Commissioner is satisfied that there are special reasons why the item
should be allowed in New Zealand; and
(b) in the case of an application for the issue of a permit, under subsection 5
(3)(a), (b), (d), or (f), the application is made by—
(i) the holder of a dealer’s licence who is acting as an agent for a person who holds a firearms licence, and both the dealer’s licence
and the person’s firearm licence bear an endorsement made under
section 30 or 30B permitting the dealer and the person to possess 10
the item; or
(ii) the holder of a firearms licence that bears an endorsement made
under section 30 or 30B permitting the person to possess the item;
and
(c) in the case of an application for the issue of a permit under subsection 15
(3)(h), the applicant—
(i) is a person permitted by regulations made under this Act to possess prohibited ammunition; and
(ii) is the holder of a firearms licence.
(5) If an application for the issue of a permit is made under subsection (3)(c) in 20
relation to a prohibited part that may be used by a licence holder on or with a
non-prohibited firearm, the Commissioner—
(a) must be satisfied that the part will only be used by the licence holder
with or on a non-prohibited firearm; and
(b) may impose conditions on the permit that enables a member of the 25
Police to verify the use of the part.
(6) A permit issued under this section is personal to the person to whom it is issued
and may not be transferred to any other person.
(7) A permit may in no case be issued under this section in respect of an anti-personnel mine or cluster munition. 30
24A New sections 18AA to 18AAD inserted
After section 18, insert:
18AA Issue of permit to import pistol carbine conversion kits
(1) A member of the Police to whom an application is made for the issue of a permit to import a pistol carbine conversion kit may require the applicant to 35
produce for examination and testing samples of any pistol carbine conversion
kit of the kind referred to in the application that the member of the Police considers necessary.
Part 1 cl 24A Arms Legislation Bill
32
(2) The Commissioner may grant an application for the issue of a permit to bring
or cause to be brought or sent into New Zealand a pistol carbine conversion kit
only if—
(a) the Commissioner is satisfied that—
(i) there are special reasons why the pistol carbine conversion kit 5
should be allowed into New Zealand; and
(ii) the pistol carbine conversion kit specifically enables a pistol that
has an overall length of no more than 400 millimetres and is capable of firing specified ammunition only at a muzzle velocity of
1,600 feet per second or less to be fired from the shoulder; and 10
(iii) the pistol carbine conversion kit does not modify the pistol in any
way other than as specified in subparagraph (ii); and
(b) the application is made by—
(i) the holder of a dealer’s licence who is acting as an agent for a person who holds a firearms licence that bears an endorsement made 15
under section 30 permitting the person to possess a pistol, and—
(A) the dealer’s licence bears an endorsement made under section 30 permitting the dealer to possess a pistol; and
(B) the dealer has been issued with a permit to import a pistol
(under section 18) or a permit to possess a pistol (under 20
section 35); or
(ii) the holder of a firearms licence—
(A) whose licence bears an endorsement made under section 30
permitting the holder to posses a pistol; and
(B) who has been issued with a permit to import a pistol (under 25
section 18) or a permit to possess a pistol (under section
35).
(3) However, if an application is made by an applicant in the applicant’s capacity
referred to in section 29(2)(b), (c), (d), or (e), the Commissioner may grant the
application without being satisfied of the matters in subsection (2)(a)(ii) and 30
(iii).
(4) Any permit issued under this section is personal to the person to whom it is
issued and may not be transferred to any other person.
18AAB Issue of permit to import air pistol carbine conversion kits
(1) A member of the Police to whom an application is made for the issue of a per- 35
mit to import an air pistol carbine conversion kit may require the applicant to
produce for examination and testing samples of any air pistol carbine conversion kit of the kind referred to in the application that the member of the Police
considers necessary.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 24A
33
(2) The Commissioner may grant an application for the issue of a permit to bring
or cause to be brought or sent into New Zealand an air pistol carbine conversion kit only if the Commissioner is satisfied that the application is made by—
(a) the holder of a dealer’s licence who is acting as an agent for a person
who intends to personally use the kit as a member of an airsoft or paint- 5
ball club that is affiliated with a national airsoft or paintball organisation;
or
(b) any other person who intends to personally use the kit as a member of an
airsoft or paintball club that is affiliated with a national airsoft or paintball organisation. 10
(3) Any permit issued under this section is personal to the person to whom it is
issued and may not be transferred to any other person.
18AAC Revocation and validity of permit to import
(1) A permit issued under section 18, 18AA, or 18AAB may be revoked at any
time by a commissioned officer of Police. 15
(2) A permit issued under section 18 or 18AA is automatically revoked if—
(a) the permit was issued to a licensed dealer and the dealer’s licence, or any
endorsement on the dealer’s licence required for the issue of the permit,
is revoked or suspended or has expired or been surrendered; or
(b) the permit was issued to any other person who, for the purposes of the 20
issue of the permit, was required to hold a firearms licence, and that person’s firearms licence, or any endorsement on the firearms licence
required for the issue of the permit, is revoked or suspended or has
expired or been surrendered.
(3) Subsection (4) applies if— 25
(a) a permit is issued under section 18 or 18AA to a licensed dealer permitting the dealer to import items on behalf of 1 or more persons; and
(b) any person referred to in paragraph (a) who is required to hold a firearms licence, or a firearms licence bearing an endorsement, to possess an
item being imported on their behalf— 30
(i) has their licence or endorsement revoked or suspended; or
(ii) allows their licence or endorsement to expire; or
(iii) surrenders their licence.
(4) If this subsection applies, the permit issued to the licensed dealer is invalid to
the extent that it permits the importation of an item on behalf of a person 35
referred to in subsection (3)(b) in respect of which the person required the
licence or endorsement.
Part 1 cl 24A Arms Legislation Bill
34
18AAD Permit to import issued for items to be brought into or sent into New
Zealand in single consignment or multiple consignments
(1) A permit may be issued under section 18, 18AA, or 18AAB only in relation
to items that are to be brought or sent into New Zealand—
(a) in a single consignment at the same time; or 5
(b) in multiple consignments, with a period of not more than 30 days
between the arrival of the first and last consignments.
(2) If, after to the issue of a permit referred to in subsection (1), any item to
which the permit relates is not included in a consignment referred to in subsection (1), the permit ceases to apply to that item. 10
25 Section 18B replaced (Samples)
Replace section 18B with:
18B Production of samples
(1) If an applicant is required, under section 18(1), to produce for examination and
testing a sample of a firearm, pistol, prohibited item, restricted airgun, restric- 15
ted weapon, blank-firing gun, or non-prohibited ammunition, the applicant
must produce the sample as soon as practicable.
(1) If an applicant is required, under section 18(1), 18AA(1), or 18AAB(1), to
produce for examination and testing a sample, the applicant must produce the
sample as soon as practicable. 20
(2) Before producing a sample, an applicant must ensure it has not been modified
in any way.
(3) The Crown is not liable to pay compensation in respect of any damage caused
to a sample resulting from the examination and testing of the sample.
(4) If, following examination and testing, the sample is not approved, the applicant 25
who produced it must, within 12 months after being informed in writing by a
member of the Police that the sample is not approved,—
(a) export the sample from New Zealand; or
(b) cause the sample to be exported from New Zealand.
(5) If the sample is not exported as required by subsection (4), the sample must 30
be disposed of or dealt with in the manner that the Commissioner directs.
18C Export of specified items not corresponding with sample or otherwise
approved for importation
(1) This section applies if—
(a) a specified item is brought into New Zealand under a permit issued for 35
the purposes of section 16(1); and
(b) the specified item—
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 25
35
(i) does not correspond with a sample produced to a member of the
Police as required by the description of the specified item in the
permit; or
(ii) is not otherwise approved for importation into New Zealand.
(2) If this subsection applies, the person who brought the specified item into New 5
Zealand or caused it to be brought or sent into New Zealand must, within 12
months after being informed in writing by a member of the Police that the specified item does not correspond with the sample or is not otherwise approved
for importation into New Zealand, export or cause to be exported from New
Zealand— 10
(a) the specified item; and
(b) the sample.
(3) If a specified item or sample to which subsection (2) relates is not exported
as required by that subsection, the specified item or sample must be disposed of
or dealt with in the manner that the Commissioner directs. 15
(4) In this section, specified item means any firearm, pistol, prohibited item,
restricted airgun, restricted weapon, blank-firing gun, pistol carbine conversion
kit, air pistol carbine conversion kit, or non-prohibited ammunition.
26 Section 19 amended replaced (Seizure of illegally imported items)
Replace section 19(1) with: 20
(1) Subsection (1A) applies if a member of the Police or a Customs officer suspects on reasonable grounds that an item that is a firearm, pistol, restricted airgun, restricted weapon, prohibited item, blank-firing gun, or non-prohibited
ammunition (or a part of a firearm, pistol, restricted weapon, prohibited firearm, or blank-firing gun)— 25
(a) has been brought into New Zealand in breach of section 16(1); or
(b) has been brought into the harbours or other territorial waters of New
Zealand and is intended to be brought into New Zealand in breach of
section 16(1).
(1A) If this subsection applies, the member of the Police or the Customs officer 30
may—
(a) seize and detain the item; and
(b) use any reasonable necessary force to seize the item.
(1B) If an item is seized and detained under subsection (1A), sections 65 and 70
apply, with all necessary modifications, in respect of that item. 35
19 Seizure of illegally transported items
(1) Subsection (2) applies if a member of the Police or a Customs officer suspects on reasonable grounds that an item referred to in section 16—
Part 1 cl 26 Arms Legislation Bill
36
(a) has been brought into New Zealand without a permit issued under section 18, 18AA, or 18AB; or
(b) has been brought into the harbours or other territorial waters of New
Zealand and is intended to be brought into New Zealand without a permit issued under section 18, 18AA, or 18AB. 5
(2) If this subsection applies, the member of the Police or the Customs officer
may—
(a) seize and detain the item; and
(b) use any reasonable necessary force to seize the item.
(3) If an item is seized and detained under subsection (1A), sections 65 and 70 10
apply, with all necessary modifications, in respect of that item.
27 New Part 4 heading, cross-heading and sections 19A and 19B C inserted
After section 19, insert:
Part 4
General restrictions 15
General restrictions on possession of firearms, airguns, magazines, parts, and
ammunition
19A Restriction on possession of prohibited firearms and prohibited magazines
(1) No person may have in their possession a prohibited firearm or prohibited
magazine unless the person is— 20
(a) the holder of a dealer’s licence and has obtained that bears an endorsement made under section 30B and who obtains the prohibited firearm or
prohibited magazine in any of the ways specified in section 10(1)(b);
or
(b) the holder of a firearms licence and— 25
(i) has been issued, under section 35A, a permit to possess a prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine; and
(ii) the endorsement made on the person’s firearms licence under section 30B is made specific to the prohibited firearm or prohibited
magazine in respect of which the permit referred to in subpara- 30
graph (i) was issued.
(b) the holder of a firearms licence that bears an endorsement that—
(i) is made under section 30B permitting the holder to possess a prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine; and
(ii) is made specific to the prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine 35
by—
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 27
37
(A) a permit to import issued under section 18; or
(B) a permit to possess issued under section 35A.
(2) This section does not apply to an employee of a licensed dealer when—
(a) acting in their capacity as an employee; and
(b) carrying on a dealer activity (if they are qualified under section 11 to 5
do so).
(3) A person who contravenes this section commits an offence under section 50A
or 50B (as the case may be).
19B Restriction on possession of prohibited parts
(1) No person may have in their possession a prohibited part unless the person— 10
(a) is an exempt person of or over the age of 18 years; and
(b) either—
(i) is the holder of a dealer’s licence that bears an endorsement made
under section 30B permitting the holder to possess a prohibited
firearm or prohibited magazine and the holder has obtained the 15
prohibited part in any of the ways specified in section 10(2); or
(ii) is the holder of a firearm’s licence that bears an endorsement
made under section 30B that permits the holder to possess a prohibited firearm.
(2) This section does not apply to an employee of a licensed dealer when— 20
(a) acting in their capacity as an employee; and
(b) carrying on a dealer activity (if they are qualified under section 11 to
do so).
(3) A person who contravenes this section commits an offence under section 50C.
19C Restriction on possession of pistols and restricted weapons 25
(1) No person may have in their possession a pistol or restricted weapon unless the
person is—
(a) the holder of a dealer’s licence that bears an endorsement that—
(i) is made under section 30 permitting the holder to possess a pistol
or restricted weapon; and 30
(ii) is made specific to the pistol or restricted weapon by—
(A) a permit to import issued under section 18; or
(B) a permit to possess issued under section 35; or
(b) the holder of a firearms licence that bears an endorsement that—
(i) is made under section 30 permitting the holder to possess a pistol 35
or restricted weapon; and
Part 1 cl 27 Arms Legislation Bill
38
(ii) is made specific to the pistol or restricted weapon by—
(A) a permit to import issued under section 18; or
(B) a permit to possess issued under section 35.
(2) A person who contravenes this section commits an offence under section 50.
28 Cross-heading above section 20 repealed 5
Repeal the cross-heading above section 20.
29 Section 20 amended (Restrictions on possession of firearms)
(1) Replace the heading to section 20 with “Restriction on possession of nonprohibited firearms”.
(2) In section 20(1), replace “firearm” with “non-prohibited firearm”. 10
(3) In section 20(2), delete “, prohibited item,”.
(4) Replace section 20(3) with:
(3) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 1 year, or to a fine not exceeding $15,000, if the person,
without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1). 15
30 Section 21 amended (Restrictions on possession of airguns)
Replace section 21(2) with:
(2) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection
(1). 20
31 New sections 22A to 22F and cross-headings inserted
After section 22, insert:
22A Restriction on possession of non-prohibited magazines and non-prohibited
parts
(1) A person must not have in their possession either of the following unless the 25
person is the holder of a firearms licence:
(a) a magazine for a firearm that is not a prohibited magazine:
(b) a part that is not a prohibited part.
(2) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection 30
(1).
22B Restriction on possession of ammunition
(1) A person must not have in their possession any ammunition (other than projectiles for airguns) unless the person—
(a) is the holder of a firearms licence; or 35
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 31
39
(b) is not the holder of a firearms licence, but is under the immediate supervision of a person who is the holder of a firearms licence; or
(c) is an employee of an ammunition seller who is performing their duties at
their place of work under the immediate supervision of a person who is
the holder of a firearms licence. 5
(2) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection
(1).
Restrictions on possession of pistol carbine conversion kits
22BA Restrictions on possession of pistol carbine conversion kits 10
A person must not have in their possession a pistol carbine conversion kit
unless the person is—
(a) the holder of a dealer’s licence that bears an endorsement made under
section 30 permitting the holder to possess a pistol and has been issued
with— 15
(i) a permit to import issued under section 18AA; or
(ii) a permit to possess issued under section 35AAA; or
(b) the holder of a firearms licence—
(i) whose licence bears an endorsement made under section 30 permitting the holder to possess a pistol; and 20
(ii) who has been issued with—
(A) a permit, under section 18, to import a pistol; or
(B) a permit, under section 35, to possess a pistol; and
(iii) who has been issued with—
(A) a permit, under section 18AA, to import a pistol carbine 25
conversion kit; or
(B) a permit, under section 35AAA, to possess a pistol carbine
conversion kit.
Restrictions on sale or supply of ammunition
22C Restrictions on selling or supplying ammunition 30
(1) A person who sells or supplies ammunition (other than projectiles for airguns)
must hold a firearms licence.
(2) A person may only sell or supply ammunition (other than projectiles for airguns) to a person who holds a firearms licence.
Part 1 cl 31 Arms Legislation Bill
40
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to an employee of an ammunition seller performing their duties under the supervision of a person who is the holder of a
firearms licence.
(4) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection 5
(1) or (2).
(5) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) or (2)
if—
(a) the defendant proves that the defendant took reasonable steps to ascertain whether the person to whom the defendant sold or supplied the 10
ammunition (A) was the holder of a firearms licence; or
(b) the defendant proves that—
(i) the ammunition was sold or supplied to A for use under the immediate supervision of another person who holds a firearms licence
(B); and 15
(ii) at all times while A was in possession of the ammunition, A was
under the immediate supervision of B.
(6) Nothing in subsection (3) applies in relation to any ammunition sold or supplied for a firearm of the kind described in section 22(1)(a), (b), or (c).
22D Ammunition seller to keep record of ammunition sales 20
(1) An ammunition seller must keep at their place of business a book that records
the following details in respect of all ammunition (other than projectiles for airguns) sold or supplied in the course of their business:
(a) the name of the person to whom the ammunition was sold or supplied;
and 25
(b) the quantity and type of ammunition sold or supplied to the person; and
(c) the person’s firearms licence number, or, if the ammunition was sold or
supplied to the person for use under the immediate supervision of
another person who holds a firearms licence, the name and firearms
licence number of that other person. 30
(2) Despite subsection (1), an ammunition seller need not record details under
that subsection if—
(a) the details are declared by regulations made under section 74 to be
exempt from the requirement in that subsection; or
(b) the dealer provides the details to the Police for inclusion in the registry 35
in accordance with the regulations.
(3) An ammunition seller must, at all reasonable times, permit any member of the
Police to inspect and make copies of any entries in the book referred to in subArms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 31
41
section (1) if the ammunition seller has received at least 7 days’ prior notice
of the member’s intention to do so.
(4) If an ammunition seller’s firearms licence is revoked or cancelled under this
Act, the ammunition seller must immediately surrender to a member of the
Police the book referred to in subsection (1). 5
(5) An ammunition seller who keeps their book under subsection (1) in hard
copy form must retain the book for at least 10 years from the date of the last
entry in the book.
(6) An ammunition seller who keeps their book under subsection (1) electronically must retain each electronic record for at least 10 years from the date on 10
which the record is entered.
(6A) When an ammunition seller’s firearms licence expires or is revoked or surrendered, or the ammunition seller ceases selling or supplying ammunition, the
ammunition seller must immediately surrender to the Police all records they are
required by this section to keep that have not been included in the registry. 15
(7) An ammunition seller commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine
not exceeding $10,000 if the ammunition seller, without reasonable excuse,
contravenes any of subsections (1) to (4).
Restriction on ownership of firearms, airguns, and restricted weapons by
visitors 20
22E Visitors may not take ownership of firearm, airgun, or restricted weapon
(1) A visitor who holds a firearms licence may not, during their stay in New Zealand, acquire ownership of any firearm or restricted weapon for possession in
New Zealand.
(2) If a person contravenes subsection (1), that person’s firearms licence is auto- 25
matically revoked.
Restriction on manufacture of prohibited items
22F Restriction on manufacture of prohibited items
(1) No person may manufacture a prohibited item.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an exempt person described in section 30
4A(1A).
(3) A person who contravenes this section commits an offence under section 50A,
50B, or 50C (as the case may be).
32 Cross-heading above section 23 replaced
Replace the cross-heading above section 23 with: 35
Part 1 cl 32 Arms Legislation Bill
42
Part 5
Firearms licences, endorsements, and permits to possess
Firearms licences
33 New section 22G inserted (Persons disqualified from holding firearms
licence) 5
Before section 23, insert:
22G Persons disqualified from holding a firearms licence
A person is disqualified from holding a firearms licence if—
(a) the person has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted, or been
released from custody after being convicted, of any of the following 10
offences:
(i) an offence under section 16(4), 16A, 44A, 50A, 50D, 51A, 53A,
54, 54A, 55, 55A, 55D, 55E, or 55F:
(ii) a serious violent offence as defined in section 86A of the Sentencing Act 2002: 15
(iii) an offence under section 92, 98, 98A, 189A, 199, 202C, 238,
267(1), 269(1) and (3), or 306 of the Crimes Act 1961:
(iv) an offence under section 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12A, 12AB, or 12F of
the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975; or
(b) the person has, or has had within the previous 10 years, a protection 20
order, other than a temporary order, made against them under—
(i) section 79 of the Family Violence Act 2018; or
(ii) section 14 of the Domestic Violence Act 1995.
34 Section 23 amended (Application for firearms licence)
(1) Replace section 23(1) with: 25
(1) A person may apply to a member of the Police for a firearms licence if the person—
(a) is of or over the age of 16 years; and
(b) has not had a firearms licence revoked in the previous 5 years (or, if they
have, the revocation was reversed by the District Court); and 30
(c) is not disqualified under section 22G from holding a firearms licence.
(2) After section 23(2), insert:
(2A) An applicant must, at the time of making an application for a firearms licence,
provide to a member of the Police the name and contact details of their health
practitioner. 35
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 34
43
35 Section 24 amended (Issue of firearms licence)
Replace section 24(1) with:
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a firearms licence may be issued by a member of the
Police who is satisfied that—
(a) the applicant— 5
(i) is of or over the age of 16 years; and
(ii) is a fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or airgun; and
(b) the applicant’s storage facilities for their firearms and ammunition have
been inspected by a member of the Police and are compliant with the 10
requirements for the secure storage of firearms and ammunition.
35 Section 24 replaced (Issue of firearms licence)
Replace section 24 with:
24 Issue of firearms licence
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a firearms licence must be issued by a member of 15
the Police to an applicant if the member of the Police is satisfied that—
(a) the applicant—
(i) is of or over the age of 16 years; and
(ii) is a fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or an
airgun; and 20
(b) either—
(i) the applicant’s storage facilities for their firearms and ammunition
have been inspected by a member of the Police and are compliant
with the requirements for the secure storage of firearms and
ammunition; or 25
(ii) if the applicant is a visitor to New Zealand, a member of the
Police is satisfied with the arrangements made by the applicant for
the storage of the firearms and ammunition they will possess
while residing in New Zealand.
(2) A firearms licence must not be issued to an applicant if, in the opinion of a 30
commissioned officer of Police, access to any firearm or an airgun in possession of the applicant is reasonably likely to be obtained by any person who—
(a) is disqualified from holding a firearms licence; or
(b) has had their firearms licence revoked on the ground that they are not a
fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or an airgun; or 35
(c) is not a fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or an airgun.
Part 1 cl 35 Arms Legislation Bill
44
(3) As soon as is reasonably practicable after issuing a firearms licence to a person,
a member of the Police must notify the person’s health practitioner that a firearms licence has been issued to the person.
36 New sections 24A to 24C inserted
After section 24, insert: 5
24A Fit and proper person to hold firearms licence possess firearm or airgun
(1) A For the purposes of this Act, a member of the Police may, for the purposes of
section 24(1)(a)(ii), find an applicant is not a fit and proper person to be in
possession of a firearm or an airgun if the member of the Police is satisfied that
1 or more of the following circumstances exist: 10
(a) the applicant has been is charged with or has been convicted of an
offence in New Zealand or overseas that is punishable by a term of
imprisonment (including, but not limited to, an offence involving violence, drugs, or alcohol):
(b) the applicant has been is charged with or has been convicted of an 15
offence under this Act:
(c) the applicant has been is charged with or has been convicted of an
offence against—
(i) section 231A of the Crimes Act 1961; or
(ia) the Game Animal Council Act 2013; or 20
(ii) the Wildlife Act 1953; or
(iii) the Wild Animal Control Act 1977:
(d) the applicant has, or has had at any time, a temporary protection order
made against them under—
(i) section 79 of the Family Violence Act 2018; or 25
(ii) section 14 of the Domestic Violence Act 1995:
(da) the applicant has inflicted, or is inflicting, family violence against a person and that person has grounds under the Family Violence Act 2018 to
apply for a protection order against the applicant:
(db) the applicant has, or has had at any time, a restraining order made 30
against them under the Harassment Act 1997:
(e) the applicant has engaged in any conduct involving non-compliance with
any requirements of—
(i) this Act; or
(ii) any regulations made under this Act; or 35
(iii) any conditions to which a permit, licence, or endorsement previously issued to the applicant under this Act was subject:
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 36
45
(f) the applicant has exhibited significant mental health issues, including
attempted suicide or other self-injurious behaviour, that might adversely
affect their ability to safely possess firearms:
(f) the applicant shows, or has recently shown, symptoms of a mental or
physical illness or injury that may adversely affect their ability to safely 5
possess firearms:
(g) the applicant abuses alcohol, or is dependent on alcohol, to an extent that
affects detrimentally their judgement or behaviour:
(h) the applicant uses drugs (illegal or legal) in a way that affects detrimentally their judgement or behaviour: 10
(i) the applicant is a member of, or has close affiliations with, a gang or an
organised criminal group:
(j) the applicant has shown patterns of behaviour demonstrating a tendency
to exhibit, encourage, or promote violence, hatred, or extremism:
(k) the applicant has been assessed as a risk to a State’s national security.: 15
(l) the applicant satisfies any criteria prescribed in regulations made under
section 74(1)(bb).
(2) In determining whether, for the purposes of section 24(1)(a)(ii) this Act, an
applicant is a fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or an airgun, the member of the Police may take into account— 20
(a) whether the applicant—
(i) has a sound knowledge of the safe possession and use of firearms:
(ii) understands the legal obligations of a holder of a firearms licence,
including the endorsements that may be made on a firearms
licence; and 25
(ab) any other criteria prescribed in regulations made under section
74(1)(bc); and
(b) any other relevant matters the member of the Police considers appropriate.
(3) The member of the Police may, for the purpose of determining whether a per- 30
son is a fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or an airgun,—
(a) seek and receive any information that the member of the Police thinks
appropriate; and
(b) consider information obtained from any source.
(4) If the member of the Police proposes to take into account any information that 35
is or may be prejudicial to an applicant’s application, the member of the Police
must, subject to subsection (5), disclose that information to the applicant and
give the applicant a reasonable opportunity to refute or comment on it.
Part 1 cl 36 Arms Legislation Bill
46
(5) Nothing in subsection (4) requires the member of the Police to disclose any
information to an applicant if that disclosure would be likely to—
(a) endanger the safety of any person; or
(b) prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand or the international
relations of the Government of New Zealand; or 5
(c) prejudice the entrusting of information to the Police, the New Zealand
Security Intelligence Service, or the Government Communications
Security Bureau on a basis of confidence by—
(i) the government of any other country; or
(ii) any international organisation. 10
(6) In this section,—
gang has the meaning given in section 4 of the Prohibition of Gang Insignia in
Government Premises Act 2013
organised criminal group has the meaning given in section 98A of the Crimes
Act 1961. 15
24B General conditions of firearms licence
(1) Every firearms licence is issued subject to the conditions that the holder of firearms licence must,—
(a) when using a firearm, act in a way that does not pose a risk to themselves or others; and 20
(b) produce any firearm within the licence holder’s possession that the
licence holder is carrying to a member of the Police on demand; and
(c) permit a member of the Police to inspect all firearms in the licence holder’s possession, and the place or places where the firearms are or will be
kept and, for that purpose, to enter at all reasonable times upon the 25
premises where that place or those places are situated; and
(d) permit a member of the Police to inspect the security arrangements in
any vehicle used by the holder to transport the licence holder’s firearms;
and
(e) inform a member of the Police if, after the issue of the licence, any of 30
the circumstances described in section 24A(1) apply to the licence
holder.; and
(f) inform a member of the Police if their health practitioner changes, and
provide updated details of the name and contact details of their health
practitioner. 35
(2) It is the duty of every member of the Police exercising any power conferred by
subsection (1)(c) or (d)—
(a) to give at least 7 days’ notice of the proposed inspection under subsection (1)(c); and
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 36
47
(b) to identify themselves to the holder of the firearms licence; and
(c) to tell the holder of the firearms licence that the power is being exercised
under subsection (1)(c) or (d), as the case may be; and
(d) if they are not in uniform, to produce on initial entry, and, if requested, at
any subsequent time, evidence that they are a member of the Police. 5
(3) Subsections (1)(c) and (2) are subject to section 31A if the licence bears an
endorsement made under section 30 or 30B.
24C Special condition of firearms licence relating to sale or supply of
ammunition
Every A firearms licence issued to an ammunition seller relating to the sale or 10
supply of ammunition is subject to the condition that the ammunition seller
have has appropriate facilities to ensure the secure storage of all ammunition
that, at any time, they possess.
37 Section 25 amended (Duration of firearms licence)
(1) Replace section 25(1) with: 15
(1) A firearms licence comes into force on the date specified in the licence
and, unless revoked or surrendered earlier, expires 5 years from that
date.
(1) A firearms licence comes into force on the date specified in the licence
and, unless revoked or surrendered earlier,— 20
(a) expires 5 years from that date in the case of—
(i) a licence issued to a person who has never previously held
a firearms licence; or
(ii) a licence issued to a person whose previous licence was
revoked or surrendered; or 25
(iii) a licence issued to a person who allowed their previous
licence to expire without applying for a new licence prior to
the expiry date:
(b) expires 10 years from that date in any other case.
(2) In section 25(2), delete “to New Zealand and intends to reside in New Zealand 30
for 1 year or less”.
37A Section 27 replaced (Revocation and surrender of firearms licence)
Replace section 27 with:
27 Revocation and surrender of firearms licence
(1) A commissioned officer of Police may, by written notice, revoke a firearms 35
licence if, in the opinion of the officer,—
Part 1 cl 37 Arms Legislation Bill
48
(a) the holder of the licence is not a fit and proper person to be in possession
of a firearm or an airgun; or
(b) the holder of the licence has failed or refused to secure any arms item or
ammunition in the person’s possession, in accordance with regulations
made under this Act; or 5
(c) access to any firearm or airgun in the possession of the holder of the
licence is reasonably likely to be obtained by any person—
(i) whose firearms licence has been revoked on the ground that they
are not a fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or
airgun; or 10
(ii) who, in the opinion of a commissioned officer of Police, is not a
fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or airgun.
(2) A person whose firearms licence is revoked must, on request, surrender the
licence to a member of the Police.
(3) A person may at any time surrender their firearms licence. 15
38 Section 27A replaced repealed (Family violence and firearms licences)
Replace section 27A with:
27A Family violence and firearms licences
Without limiting the generality of section 24A or 27, a commissioned officer
of Police may decide that a person is not a fit and proper person to be in pos- 20
session of a firearm or an airgun if that commissioned officer of Police is satisfied that there are grounds under the Family Violence Act 2018 for making an
application for a protection order against that person.
Repeal section 27A.
39 New sections 27B and 27C inserted 25
After section 27A, Before section 28, insert:
27B Revocation and surrender of licence if holder becomes disqualified
(1) If the holder of a firearms licence becomes disqualified under section 22G
from holding a firearms licence,—
(a) the holder’s licence is immediately revoked; and 30
(b) the holder must, on request, surrender their licence to a member of the
Police.
(b) section 28 applies.
(2) Nothing in sections 62 to 62C applies to a revocation under this section.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 39
49
27C Revocation of suspended firearms or dealer’s licence
(1) A member of the Police may, by notice in writing to the holder of a firearms or
dealer’s licence that is temporarily suspended under section 60A, revoke the
licence if the officer—
(a) has considered any submissions made by the holder before the day stated 5
in the notice of suspension on whether the licence should be revoked on
the ground stated in that notice; and
(b) is satisfied that the licence should be revoked on that ground.
(2) A member of the Police must give the holder written notice of a decision on
whether to revoke a firearms or dealer’s licence temporarily suspended under 10
section 60A promptly after the decision is made.
(3) On the revocation of a firearms or dealer’s licence, its holder ceases to be
licensed to possess firearms, airguns, restricted weapons, magazines, parts, or
ammunition by virtue of the licence or any endorsement on it.
(4) If a person’s firearms licence is revoked, and the person holds a dealer’s 15
licence, the dealer’s licence is automatically revoked.
40 Section 28 amended (Effect of revocation or surrender of firearms licence)
(1) Before section 28(1), insert:
(1AAA) If a person whose firearms licence is revoked also holds a dealer’s
licence, the dealer’s licence is automatically revoked and section 9(2) 20
applies accordingly.
(1AAB) If a person who surrenders their firearms licence also holds a dealer’s
licence, the person must surrender their dealer’s licence with their firearms licence and section 9(2)(b) applies accordingly.
(1AAC) If a licence is revoked or surrendered, the holder of the licence ceases 25
to be licensed to possess any arms item or ammunition under the licence
or any endorsement on it.
(2) In section 28(1) and (2), after “ pistol,”, insert “pistol carbine conversion kit,”.
(3) In section 28(3) and (4), after “pistols,”, insert “pistol carbine conversion kits,”.
(4) Replace section 28(5) with: 30
(5) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person,
without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1).
(6) See section 60B(2)(b) for the application of this section where a licence is
temporarily suspended under section 60A. 35
41 New cross-heading after section 28 inserted
After section 28, insert:
Endorsements
Part 1 cl 40 Arms Legislation Bill
50
42 Section 29 amended (Application for endorsements in respect of pistol or
restricted weapon)
(1) Repeal section 29(1).
(2) In section 29(2), replace “at an Arms Office to a member of the Police for an
endorsement” with “to a member of the Police for an endorsement on their fire- 5
arms licence”.
(3) Replace section 29(2)(a) with:
(a) a member of an incorporated pistol shooting club that holds a certificate
of approval issued under section 38F; or
(4) Replace section 29(2)(f) with: 10
(f) an employee of a licensed dealer; or
(5) After section 29(2), insert:
(2A) An applicant for a dealer’s licence or the holder of a dealer’s licence may apply
to a member of the Police for an endorsement on their dealer’s licence permitting them to possess a pistol or restricted weapon (other than an anti-personnel 15
mine or a cluster munition) in their capacity as a licensed dealer.
(2B) A person described in subsection (2)(b), (c), (d), or (e) who is an applicant for a
firearms licence or a holder of a firearms licence may apply to a member of the
Police under this section for an endorsement permitting that person to have
possession of a semi-automatic pistol. 20
(6) Replace section 29(4) with:
(4) An application under subsection (2) or (2A) must be made on a form provided
by a member of the Police.
43 Section 30 amended (Power to make endorsement in respect of pistols or
restricted weapons) 25
(1) In section 30(2), after “firearms licence”, insert “or dealer’s licence”.
(2) After section 30(2), insert:
(3) A person whose firearms licence or dealer’s licence bears an endorsement
made under this section is not entitled to lawfully possess a pistol carbine conversion kit until— 30
(a) the person is issued with a permit under section 18AA for the purposes
of section 16(1)(e) to bring or cause to be brought or sent into New
Zealand a pistol carbine conversion kit; or
(b) the person holds a permit issued under section 35AAA to possess the
pistol carbine conversion kit. 35
44 Section 30A replaced (Application for endorsement in respect of
prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine)
Replace section 30A with:
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 44
51
30A Application for endorsement in respect of prohibited firearm or prohibited
magazine
(1) An exempt person described in any of paragraphs (b) to (i) of section 4A(1)
who is of or over the age of 18 years, and who is the holder of a firearms
licence or is applying for a firearms licence, may apply for an endorsement on 5
their firearms licence permitting them to possess a prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine in their capacity as an exempt person.
(2) A person who is of or over the age of 18 years, and who is the holder of a dealer’s licence or is applying for a dealer’s licence, may apply for an endorsement
on their dealer’s licence permitting them to possess a prohibited firearm or pro- 10
hibited magazine in their capacity as a licensed dealer.
(3) A person who is of or over the age of 18 years, and who is the employee of a
licensed dealer, may apply for an endorsement on their firearms licence permitting them to possess a prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine in their capacity as an employee of the licensed dealer. 15
(4) An application under this section must—
(a) be made on a form provided by a member of the Police; and
(b) state in which capacity referred to in subsection (1), (2), or (3) the
applicant is making the application.
(5) An applicant must permit a member of the Police to take, or cause to be taken, 20
for the purposes of the application, 1 or more photographs of the applicant.
45 Section 30B amended (Power to make endorsement in respect of
prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine)
(1) In section 30B(1), after “firearms licence”, insert “or dealer’s licence”.
(2) In section 30B(5), after “firearms licence”, insert “or dealer’s licence”. 25
46 New section 33C inserted (Duration of endorsements)
After section 33B, insert:
33C Duration of endorsements
(1) An endorsement made under section 30 or 30B on a firearms licence held by an
employee of a licensed dealer for the purposes of their employment with the 30
dealer continues in force for 1 year after the date on which the endorsement
was made, unless one of the following first occurs:
(aa) the employee’s firearms licence expires:
(a) the employee’s firearms licence is surrendered or revoked; or:
(b) the licensed dealer’s licence expires; or: 35
(c) the licensed dealer’s licence is surrendered or revoked; or:
(ca) the relevant endorsement made under section 30 or 30B on the licensed
dealer’s licence is revoked:
Part 1 cl 45 Arms Legislation Bill
52
(d) the employee ceases to be employed by the licensed dealer.
(2) However, unless earlier revoked or surrendered, an endorsement made under
section 30B at any time after 12 April 2019 on a firearms licence held by a person described in section 4A(1)(f), (g), (h), or (i) continues in force until the
earlier of the following dates: 5
(a) the date that is 2.5 years after the date on which the endorsement was
made:
(b) the date on which the licence ceases to be valid or expires.
(b) the date on which the licence—
(i) is surrendered or revoked; or 10
(ii) expires.
(3) Unless earlier revoked or surrendered, an endorsement made under section 30
or 30B on a firearms licence held by any other person, or on a dealer’s licence,
continues in force for so long as the licence continues in force.
47 Section 34 amended (Notification of change of address) 15
(1) Replace section 34(1) with:
(1) A holder of a firearms licence who changes their address or any address at
which a firearm in their possession is kept (if a different address) must, within
the time and in the manner prescribed by regulations made under section 74,
give notice of the change to the Police. 20
(1) A holder of a firearms licence who changes their address must, within 30 days
after doing so, give written notice of the change to a member of the Police.
(2) In section 34(2), replace “an Arms Office” with “the Police in the manner specified in subsection (1)”.
(2) In section 34(2), replace “shall notify an Arms Office” with “must notify a 25
member of the Police”.
(3) Replace section 34(3) with:
(3) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection
(1) or (2). 30
48 Section 34B amended (Effect of non-compliance with requirements in
relation to photographs or to calling-in of licences)
In section 34B(b), replace “an Arms Office” with “a Police station”.
48A Cross-heading above section 35 replaced
Replace the cross-heading above section 35 with: 35
Permits to possess pistols, restricted weapons, prohibited firearms, prohibited
magazines, and pistol carbine conversion kits
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 48A
53
49 Section 35 amended (Issue of permit to possess pistol or restricted weapon)
Replace section 35(2) with:
(2) A permit to possess a pistol or restricted weapon may be issued if the member
of the Police to whom the application is made is satisfied—
(a) that the applicant holds a dealer’s licence that bears an endorsement 5
made under section 30; or
(b) that the applicant (not being an employee of a licensed dealer) holds a
firearms licence that bears an endorsement made under section 30 and
that, by virtue of that licence and endorsement, the applicant is permitted
to have possession of the pistol or restricted weapon, as the case may be. 10
(2A) A permit may not be issued under this section to an applicant acting in their
capacity as an employee of a licensed dealer.
49A New section 35AAA inserted (Issue of permit to possess pistol carbine
conversion kit)
After section 35, insert: 15
35AAA Issue of permit to possess pistol carbine conversion kit
(1) A permit to possess a pistol carbine conversion kit may be issued to an applicant only by a member of the Police acting under a direction of the Commissioner.
(2) A permit to possess a pistol carbine conversion kit may be issued if the mem- 20
ber of the Police to whom the application is made is satisfied—
(a) that the applicant—
(i) is the holder of a dealer’s licence that bears an endorsement made
under section 30 permitting the holder to possess a pistol; and
(ii) has been issued with— 25
(A) a permit, under section 18, to import a pistol; or
(B) a permit, under section 35, to possess a pistol; or
(b) that the applicant (not being an employee of a licensed dealer)—
(i) is the holder of a firearms licence that bears an endorsement made
under section 30 permitting the holder to possess a pistol; and 30
(ii) has been issued with—
(A) a permit, under section 18, to import a pistol; or
(B) a permit, under section 35, to possess a pistol.
(3) The member of the Police to whom the application is made must also be satisfied that— 35
(a) the pistol carbine conversion kit specifically enables a pistol that has an
overall length of no more than 400 millimetres and is capable of firing
Part 1 cl 49 Arms Legislation Bill
54
specified ammunition at a muzzle velocity of 1,600 feet per second or
less to be fired from the shoulder; and
(b) the pistol carbine conversion kit does not modify the pistol in any way
other than as specified in paragraph (a).
(4) However, if an application is made by an applicant in the applicant’s capacity 5
referred to in section 29(2)(b), (c), (d), or (e), the Commissioner may grant the
application without being satisfied of the matters in subsection (3).
(5) Unless sooner revoked, a permit issued under this section remains in force for
the period specified in the permit, which must not exceed 1 month.
(6) A permit may at any time be revoked by a commissioned officer of Police. 10
50 Section 35A amended (Issue of permit to possess prohibited firearm or
prohibited magazine)
Replace section 35A(2) with:
(2) A permit to possess a prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine may be issued
if— 15
(a) the applicant holds a dealer’s licence that bears an endorsement made
under section 30B; or
(b) the applicant (not being an employee of a licensed dealer) holds a firearms licence that bears an endorsement made under section 30B permitting the applicant to possess a prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine 20
and the member of the Police is satisfied that it is appropriate for the
applicant to possess the prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine.
(2) A permit to possess a prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine may be issued
if the applicant holds a dealer’s licence or firearms licence that bears an
endorsement made under section 30B permitting the applicant to possess a pro- 25
hibited firearm or prohibited magazine and the member of the Police is satisfied that it is appropriate for the applicant to possess the prohibited firearm or
prohibited magazine.
(2A) A permit may not be issued under this section to an applicant acting in their
capacity as an employee of a licensed dealer. 30
51 Section 36 amended (Offence to carry pistol or restricted weapon without
authority)
(1) Replace the heading to section 36 with “Offence to carry pistol, prohibited
firearm, prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon without authority”.
(2) In section 36(1), after “pistol”, insert “, prohibited firearm, prohibited maga- 35
zine,”.
(3) Replace section 36(3) with:
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 51
55
(3) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person,
without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1).
(4) Repeal section 36(4).
52 Section 38 amended (Removal of pistol, prohibited firearm, prohibited 5
magazine, or restricted weapon out of New Zealand)
(1) Replace section 38(1) with:
(1) A holder of a firearms licence who intends to remove any pistol, prohibited
firearm, prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon from New Zealand must—
(a) give not less than 4 days’ notice of the intended removal to a member of 10
the Police; and
(b) deliver to a Police station their firearms licence for amendment of the
endorsement.
(2) Replace section 38(2) with:
(2) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceed- 15
ing $2,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection
(1).
53 New Parts 6 and 7 inserted
After section 38, insert:
Part 6 20
Shooting clubs and shooting ranges
38A Interpretation
In this Part,—
application for approval means an application made under section 38C to
have a shooting club approved 25
application for certification means an application made under section 38K
to have a shooting range certified
certified shooting range means a shooting range certified under section 38O
shooting activities—
(a) means activities that are carried out using a firearm or an airgun for the 30
purpose of shooting at inanimate targets (whether fixed or moving); but
(b) excludes—
(i) paintball shooting; and
(ii) airsoft shooting
Part 1 cl 52 Arms Legislation Bill
56
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 range— 5
(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. 10
Shooting clubs
38B Shooting club must have certificate of approval
(1) A shooting club that uses a shooting range for its shooting activities must hold
a certificate of approval issued by the Commissioner.
(2) A person who establishes or continues to operate a shooting club without the 15
club holding a certificate of approval commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
(2) A pistol club that applies for a certificate of approval must be registered under
the Incorporated Societies Act 1908.
(3) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceed- 20
ing $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, establishes or continues
to operate a shooting club without the club holding a certificate of approval.
38BA Shooting club must be incorporated society if ammunition or firearms
sold on its behalf
(1) This section applies if ammunition or firearms are sold on behalf of a shooting 25
club.
(2) A shooting club to which this section applies may not hold a certificate of
approval under section 38F unless it is registered under the Incorporated
Societies Act 1908.
38C Application to have shooting club approved 30
(1) An application for a certificate of approval of a shooting club must be made,—
(a) if the shooting club is a body corporate, by a person who is authorised to
make the application; or
(b) if the shooting club is not a body corporate, by the club’s representative
who is authorised by the club to make the application. 35
(2) An application for approval must be made to the Commissioner in the manner
prescribed by regulations made under this Act, and must—
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 53
57
(a) be in a form approved by the Commissioner; and
(b) be supported by any information and documents that are prescribed; and
(c) be accompanied by the prescribed application fee (if any).
38D Commissioner may make inquiries and request further information
On receipt of an application for approval made under section 38C, the Com- 5
missioner—
(a) may make whatever inquiries the Commissioner considers necessary to
determine whether the application should be granted; and
(b) may request the applicant to provide any further information or documents that the Commissioner considers necessary to determine whether 10
the application should be granted.
38E Decision on application for certificate of approval
The Commissioner may grant an application for approval made under section
38C if the Commissioner is satisfied that the shooting club—
(a) will be using a certified shooting range for its shooting activities; and 15
(b) has rules relating to the safe operation of firearms and promotes the safe
possession and use of firearms; and
(c) is appropriately administered; and
(d) is able to safely manage its shooting activities.; and
(e) has proper storage for any firearm or ammunition held at any of the 20
club’s premises or at a shooting range used by the club.
38F Issue of certificate of approval
(1) If the Commissioner grants an application for approval, the Commissioner
must issue to the shooting club a certificate of approval.
(2) A certificate of approval may be granted subject to any conditions that the 25
Commissioner considers appropriate.
38G Duration of certificate of approval
A certificate of approval granted to a shooting club continues until—
(a) surrendered by the shooting club; or
(b) cancelled by the Commissioner. 30
38H Cancellation of certificate of approval
(1) The Commissioner must cancel a shooting club’s certificate of approval if the
Commissioner is satisfied that—
(a) the shooting club is not using a certified shooting range for its shooting
activities; or 35
Part 1 cl 53 Arms Legislation Bill
58
(b) the shooting club is no longer carrying on its operations; or
(c) the shooting club no longer meets the requirements in section 38BA or
38E.
(2) The Commissioner may cancel a shooting club’s certificate of approval if the
Commissioner is satisfied that— 5
(a) the shooting club has failed to comply with any conditions to which its
certificate of approval is subject; or
(b) the shooting club has failed to report any serious firearms-related safety
incident; or
(c) any activity of the shooting club has raised any reasonable concern about 10
the safety of its members or the public.
38I Renewal of certificate of approval
(1) A certificate of approval may be renewed on 1 or more occasions.
(2) Sections 38C to 38H apply to an application for renewal of a certificate of
approval as if the application were an application for a certificate of approval. 15
(3) A renewed certificate of approval is to be treated for all purposes as a new certificate issued under section 38F.
38I Club may have to reapply for certificate of approval
(1) The Commissioner may require a shooting club to reapply for a certificate of
approval if— 20
(a) the club has amalgamated with another shooting club that has a different
discipline; or
(b) the club is an incorporated society that has ceased to be registered under
the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 for at least 2 years.
(2) Sections 38C to 38H apply to an application as if the application were an 25
application for a certificate of approval.
38J Annual reports
(1) A shooting club must, not later than 35 months after the end of its financial
year, provide to the Commissioner an annual report on its operation.
(2) The annual report must include the particulars prescribed in regulations made 30
under this Act.
Shooting ranges
38K Shooting ranges must be certified
(1) A person may not operate a shooting range unless the shooting range is a certified shooting range. 35
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 53
59
(2) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection
(1).
38L Application to have shooting range certified
(1) An application for certification of a shooting range may be made,— 5
(a) if the person who is proposing to operate the range is an individual, by
that individual; or
(b) if the person who is proposing to operate the range is a body corporate,
by a person who is authorised to make the application; or
(c) if the person who is proposing to operate the range is not an individual 10
or a body corporate, by the person’s representative who is authorised by
the person to make the application.
(2) An application for certification must be made to the Commissioner in the manner prescribed by regulations made under this Act, and must—
(a) be in a form approved by the Commissioner; and 15
(b) be supported by any information and documents that are prescribed; and
(c) be accompanied by the prescribed application fee (if any).
38M Commissioner may make inquiries and request further information
On receipt of an application for certification made under section 38L, the
Commissioner— 20
(a) may make whatever inquiries the Commissioner considers necessary to
determine whether the application should be granted; and
(b) may request the applicant to provide any further information or documents that the Commissioner considers necessary to determine whether
the application should be granted. 25
38N Decision on application to have shooting range certified
The Commissioner may grant an application for certification made under section 38L if the Commissioner is satisfied that—
(a) the shooting range meets all required safety standards published by the
Commissioner; and 30
(b) all necessary local councilterritorial authority and regional council consents to operate the shooting range have been obtained; and.
(c) the owner of the shooting range has appropriate public liability insurance.
38O Grant of certification 35
If the Commissioner grants an application for certification in respect of a
shooting range, the Commissioner must issue a certificate to the applicant.
Part 1 cl 53 Arms Legislation Bill
60
38P Certification granted subject to conditions
(1) A certificate granted under section 38O is subject to the condition that, at all
times while the certified shooting range is in use, a manageran officer is on
duty who—
(a) holds a firearms licence; and 5
(b) is appropriately trained in shooting range safety management.
(2) Certification granted under section 38O may be made subject to any other
conditions that the Commissioner considers appropriate, which may include
conditions relating to—
(a) maintenance of the shooting range: 10
(b) public access to the shooting range:
(c) restrictions on the types of firearms and ammunition that may be used at
the shooting range:
(d) competitions that may be conducted at the shooting range.
(3) A certified shooting range must request the Commissioner to review its range 15
certification if it is intended that the operation of the range will depart from the
conditions imposed by or under this section.
38Q Duration of certification
A certificate issued in respect of a shooting range remains in force 5 years after
the date it is issued unless the certificate is sooner surrendered or cancelled. 20
38R Cancellation of certification
The Commissioner may cancel certification in respect of a shooting range if the
Commissioner is satisfied that—
(a) the shooting range is no longer being operated as a shooting range; or
(b) the shooting range is not being operated with proper regard to individual 25
or public safety; or
(c) the owner or operator of the shooting range is not complying with any
conditions imposed under section 38P; or
(d) having regard to the matters specified in section 38N, it is no longer
appropriate that the shooting range be certified. 30
38S Renewal of certification
(1) A certificate granted under section 38O may be renewed on 1 or more occasions.
(2) Sections 38L to 38R apply to an application for renewal of certification as if
the application were an application for certification, unless subsection (4) 35
applies.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 53
61
(3) A renewed certificate is to be treated for all purposes as a new certification
granted under section 38O.
(4) If the circumstances of the shooting range have not changed significantly for 5
years, the applicant may initiate the renewal of the certification by using a form
approved by the Commissioner instead of applying under section 38L. 5
Compliance
38T Inspections of shooting clubs and shooting ranges
(1) For the purpose of ensuring that a shooting club or shooting range is operated
in accordance with this Act, a person who is a member of the Police and
authorised in writing by the Commissioner may— 10
(a) enter and inspect the shooting club or shooting range:
(a) enter and inspect—
(i) any venue of the shooting club that is part of a shooting range; or
(ii) the shooting range or any designated area used for the primary
purpose of shooting activities that is used by a shooting club or 15
members of the public:
(b) inspect, print, copy, or remove any documents that the person believes
on reasonable grounds to be those of the shooting club or shooting
range.
(1A) A member of the Police must give at least 7 days’ notice of their intention to 20
enter and inspect a venue of a shooting club or a shooting range.
(2) The provisions of Part 4 of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 (apart from
subpart 3) apply.
Compare: 1989 No 80 s 319; 2002 No 40 s 39
38U Improvement notices 25
(1) This section applies if a person carrying out an inspection reasonably believes
that a shooting club or shooting range is contravening, or is likely to contravene, a provision of this Act or regulations made under this Act.
(2) If this section applies, the person may issue an improvement notice to the
shooting club or shooting range that requires the shooting club or shooting 30
range, within a reasonable period of time specified in the notice, to—
(a) remedy the contravention; or
(b) prevent a likely contravention from occurring.
(1) This section applies if a member of the Police reasonably believes that a shooting club or shooting range— 35
(a) is failing, is likely to fail, or has failed to comply with any conditions to
which a certificate of approval or certification is subject; or
Part 1 cl 53 Arms Legislation Bill
62
(b) is contravening, is likely to contravene, or has contravened a provision
of this Act or regulations made under this Act.
(2) If this section applies, the member of the Police may issue an improvement
notice to the shooting club or the operator of the shooting range requiring the
shooting club or shooting range, within a reasonable period of time specified in 5
the notice, to—
(a) remedy the non-compliance or contravention; or
(b) prevent a likely non-compliance or contravention from occurring.
Compare: 2015 No 70 s 101
38V Suspension 10
If the shooting club or shooting range fails to comply with an improvement
notice, it must suspend operations on the date and for the period (not exceeding
90 days) specified in the notice.
Part 7
Direct access by certain government agencies to registry 15
38W Interpretation
In this Part,—
accessing agency means—
(a) the Department of Conservation; and
(b) the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and 20
(c) the New Zealand Customs Service
arms item has the meaning given in section 2(1) and includes, as an additional
class of item, ammunition
direct access, in relation to the registry, means to do either or both of the following (whether remotely or otherwise): 25
(a) search the registry:
(b) copy any information stored on the registry
import and export information, in relation to a licence holder, means details
relating to—
(a) any permit to import issued to the licence holder under section 18(2) 30
or (2A):
(b) any class or classes of arms items exported by the licence holder
licence holder means—
(a) a person who is the holder of a firearms licence; and
(b) a person who at any time held a firearms licence 35
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 53
63
licence information, in relation to a licence holder, means—
(a) the licence holder’s—
(i) name; and
(ii) date of birth; and
(iii) residential address; and 5
(b) the following details about the licence holder’s firearms licence:
(i) the firearms licence number; and
(ii) the date of expiry of the firearms licence; and
(iii) any endorsements on the firearms licence.
38X Relationship between this Part and other law 10
This Part does not prevent or limit the collection, use, or disclosure of information that—
(a) is authorised or required by or under any enactment; or
(b) is permitted under any enactment.
38Y Direct access to licence information 15
(1) The Department of Conservation may have direct access to a licence holder’s
licence information recorded in the registry.
(2) The purpose of the direct access is to provide administrative assistance to the
Director-General of Conservation in relation to the issue, under section 38 of
the Conservation Act 1987, of permits for hunting. 20
38Z Direct access to import and export information recorded in registry
(1) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Customs Service may have direct access to a licence holder’s import and export information
recorded in the registry.
(2) The purpose of the direct access is to assist the agencies in performing or exer- 25
cising their functions, duties, and powers more effectively or efficiently in relation to the movement of lawfully permitted and lawfully possessed arms items.
38ZA Direct access must be in accordance with direct access agreement
All direct access authorised by section 38Y or 38Z must be in accordance
with a written direct access agreement entered into between— 30
(a) the Minister responsible for the accessing agency; and
(b) the Minister of Police.
Part 1 cl 53 Arms Legislation Bill
64
38ZB Matters to which Ministers must have regard before entering into direct
access agreement
Before entering into a direct access agreement, the Ministers referred to in section 38ZA must be satisfied—
(a) that— 5
(i) in the case of direct access authorised by section 38Y, the direct
access will enable the Director-General of Conservation to more
effectively or efficiently issue permits for hunting; or
(ii) in the case of direct access authorised by section 38Z, the direct
access will enable the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or 10
the New Zealand Customs Service to perform and exercise their
functions, duties, and powers more effectively or efficiently; and
(b) that there are adequate safeguards to protect the privacy of individuals,
including that the proposed compliance and audit requirements for the
direct access, use, disclosure, and retention of the information are suffi- 15
cient; and
(c) that the agreement includes appropriate procedures for direct access, use,
disclosure, and retention of the information.
38ZC Consultation before entering into direct access agreement
(1) Before entering into a direct access agreement, the Ministers referred to in sec- 20
tion 38ZA must consult and invite comment on the proposed agreement
from—
(a) the Privacy Commissioner; and
(b) the advisory group established under section 88.
(2) When consulted on a direct access agreement, the Privacy Commissioner must 25
have particular regard to the matters that the Ministers need to be satisfied of
before entering into the agreement that are specified in section 38ZB(b) and
(c).
(3) The Ministers must have regard to any comment received from the Privacy
Commissioner and the advisory group on the proposed agreement. 30
38ZD Content of direct access agreements
A direct access agreement must specify—
(a) the particular information in relation to licence holders that may be
accessed:
(b) the particular purpose or purposes for which the information may be 35
accessed:
(c) the particular function, duty, or power being, or to be, performed or exercised by the accessing agency for which the information is required:
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 53
65
(d) the mechanism by which the information is to be accessed:
(e) the position or designation of the person or persons in the accessing
agency who may access the information:
(f) the records to be kept in relation to each occasion on which the registry
is accessed: 5
(g) the safeguards that are to be applied for protecting information:
(h) the requirements relating to storage, retention, and disposal of information obtained from the registry:
(i) the circumstances (if any) in which the information may be disclosed to
another agency, and how that disclosure may be made: 10
(i) that the accessing agency may use the information only in accordance
with the purposes for which it was accessed:
(j) the requirements for reviewing the agreement:
(k) the requirement to regularly audit access to the registry.
38ZE Variation of direct access agreement 15
Sections 38ZB and 38ZC apply with any necessary modifications in respect
of a proposal to enter into an agreement varying a direct access agreement.
38ZF Publication of direct access agreements
(1) An agreement, and all variations to the agreement, must be published on—
(a) an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the accessing agency; and 20
(b) an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Police.
(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply to—
(a) an agreement or a variation of an agreement that may be withheld on a
request made under the Official Information Act 1982:
(b) a provision of an agreement or a variation of an agreement that may be 25
withheld on a request made under the Official Information Act 1982.
(3) If, in reliance on subsection (2)(a), an agreement or a variation of an agreement is not published, a summary of the agreement or variation of the agreement must be published on—
(a) an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the accessing agency; and 30
(b) an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Police.
54 Sections 39 to 41 and cross-heading repealed
Repeal sections 39 to 41 and the cross-heading above section 39.
55 New section 41A inserted (Marking of firearms)
After section 41, insert: 35
Part 1 cl 54 Arms Legislation Bill
66
41A Marking of firearms
(1) This section applies to all firearms, parts, pistol carbine conversion kits, and
magazines possessed by firearm licence holders, including those manufactured
in or imported into NZ, but does not apply to antique firearms.
(2) Firearms, parts, pistol carbine conversion kits, and magazines to which this 5
section applies must be marked to the extent provided in, and in accordance
with, requirements set out in regulations made under section 74.
(3) The Crown is not liable to pay compensation in respect of—
(a) the loss of value in the case of any firearm, part, pistol carbine conversion kit, or magazine that results from it being marked in accordance 10
with the regulations; or
(b) the cost of marking the firearm, part, pistol carbine conversion kit, or
magazine.
56 Cross-heading above section 42 replaced
Replace the cross-heading above section 42 with: 15
Part 8
Offences
57 Section 42 replaced (Offences in respect of licences)
Replace section 42 with:
42 Offences in respect of licences 20
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 2 years, or to a fine not exceeding $20,000, if the person,—
(a) with intent to deceive,—
(i) adds to a licence any words or figures extraneous to the licence as
issued; or 25
(ii) alters on or erases from any licence any words or figures; or
(iii) uses or retains any licence—
(A) to which have been added any words or figures extraneous
to the licence as issued; or
(B) from which any words or figures have been erased from the 30
licence as issued; or
(C) on which any words or figures on the licence as issued have
been altered; or
(b) being the holder of a licence, wilfully parts with possession of that
licence in order that it may be used by another person; or 35
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 57
67
(c) uses or attempts to use a licence issued in the name of another person
with the intention of procuring the possession of any firearm, airgun, pistol, restricted weapon, magazine, or ammunition; or
(d) supplies particulars or answers in any application for a licence under this
Act, knowing them to be incorrect or misleading. 5
58 Section 43 replaced (Selling or supplying firearm or airgun to unlicensed
person)
Replace section 43 with:
43 Selling or supplying firearm or airgun to unlicensed person
(1) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a 10
term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine not exceeding $20,000, if the person—
(a) sells or supplies a firearm (other than a pistol, prohibited item, or restricted weapon) to any person who is not the holder of a firearms licence, a
dealer’s licence, or a permit issued for the purposes of section 16(1);
or 15
(b) sells or supplies an airgun to any individual who is under the age of 18
years and is not the holder of a firearms licence.
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1)(a) if the
defendant proves—
(a) that the defendant took reasonable steps to ascertain whether the person 20
to whom they sold or supplied the firearm (A) was the holder of a firearms licence; or
(b) that—
(i) the firearm was sold or supplied to A for use under the immediate
supervision of another person, not being a visitor to New Zealand, 25
who holds a firearms licence (B); and
(ii) at all times, while A was in possession of the firearm, A was
under the immediate supervision of B.
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1)(b) if—
(a) the defendant proves that the defendant took reasonable steps to ascer- 30
tain whether the individual to whom they sold or supplied the airgun (not
being a specially dangerous airgun) (C) was the holder of a firearms
licence and was a person of or over the age of 18 years; or
(b) the defendant proves—
(i) that the airgun was sold or supplied to C for use under the imme- 35
diate supervision of another person (D) who holds a firearms
licence and was a person of or over the age of 18 years; and
(ii) that at all times while C was in possession of the airgun, C was
under the immediate supervision of D.
Part 1 cl 58 Arms Legislation Bill
68
58A Section 43AA replaced (Possessing, selling, or supplying prohibited
ammunition)
Replace section 43AA with:
43AA Selling or supplying prohibited ammunition
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a 5
term not exceeding 2 years if the person, without reasonable excuse, sells or
supplies prohibited ammunition.
59 Section 43A replaced (Mail order sale of firearm or ammunition)
Replace section 43A with:
43A Mail order or Internet sale of arms items or ammunition 10
(1) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person,
without reasonable excuse, sells by mail order or a transaction on the Internet
any arms item (other than an airgun for use in airsoft or paintball sports), or
any ammunition for a firearm or restricted weapon, otherwise than under a 15
written order—
(a) signed by the purchaser; and
(b) stating the identification number marked identifying markings on the
arms item; and
(c) bearing an endorsement signed by a member of the Police and stating 20
that the member of the Police—
(i) has inspected the purchaser’s firearms licence; and
(ii) is satisfied that the purchaser is a fit and proper person to purchase
the arms item or ammunition.
(2) Nothing in this section subsection (1) applies in relation to— 25
(a) any pistol, restricted weapon, or prohibited item; or
(b) any ammunition for a firearm of the kind described in section 22(1)(a),
(b), or (c).
(3) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person, 30
without reasonable excuse, sells any pistol, restricted weapon, or prohibited
item—
(a) by mail order; or
(b) by a transaction on the Internet, unless—
(i) the purchaser has obtained an endorsement on their dealer’s 35
licence or firearms licence that authorises them to possess a pistol,
restricted weapon, or prohibited item; and
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 59
69
(ii) the purchaser has, in the case of a pistol, restricted weapon, prohibited firearm, or prohibited magazine, obtained a permit to possess that pistol, restricted weapon, prohibited firearm, or prohibited magazine; and
(iii) the pistol, restricted weapon, or prohibited item is delivered by a 5
courier specified in the permit or, in the case of a prohibited part,
a form specified by the Police.
60 Section 43A repealed (Mail order sale of firearm or ammunition)
Repeal section 43A.
61 Section 43B repealed (Restriction on sale of ammunition) 10
Repeal section 43B.
62 Section 44 replaced (Selling or supplying pistol or restricted weapon to
person who does not hold permit to possess)
Replace section 44 with:
44 Selling or supplying pistol or restricted weapon to person who does not 15
hold permit to import or permit to possess
(1) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 3 years, or to a fine not exceeding $30,000, if the person
sells or supplies a pistol or restricted weapon to any person other than a person
who is authorised— 20
(a) by a permit issued for the purposes of section 16(1) to bring or cause
to be brought or sent into New Zealand that pistol or restricted weapon;
or
(b) by a permit issued under section 35 to possess that pistol or restricted
weapon. 25
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) if—
(a) the defendant proves that they took reasonable steps to ascertain whether
the person to whom they sold or supplied the pistol or restricted weapon
(A) was the holder of a permit of the kind described in subsection
(1)(a) or (b); or 30
(b) the defendant proves, in the case of a prosecution relating to the sale or
supply of a pistol,—
(i) that the pistol was supplied to A for use—
(A) on a range of an incorporated pistol shooting club for the
time being recognised by the Commissioner for the pur- 35
poses of section 29; and
Part 1 cl 60 Arms Legislation Bill
70
(B) under the immediate supervision of another person (B) who
holds a firearms licence bearing an endorsement permitting
them to have that pistol or a pistol of that kind; and
(ii) that, at all times while A was in possession of the pistol, A was—
(A) on a range of the kind described in subparagraph (i)(A); 5
and
(B) under the immediate supervision of B.
44AA Unlawful sale or supply of pistol carbine conversion kit
(1) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 3 years, or to a fine not exceeding $30,000, if the person 10
sells or supplies a pistol carbine conversion kit to any person other than a person who is authorised—
(a) by a permit issued under section 18AA for the purposes of section
16(1)(ca) to bring or cause to be brought or sent into New Zealand that
pistol carbine conversion kit; or 15
(b) by a permit issued under section 35AAA to possess that pistol carbine
conversion kit.
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) if the
defendant proves that they took reasonable steps to ascertain whether the person to whom they sold or supplied the pistol carbine conversion kit was the 20
holder of a permit of the kind described in subsection (1)(a) or (b).
(3) It is also a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) if
the defendant proves—
(a) that the pistol carbine conversion kit was supplied to a person (A) for
use— 25
(i) on a certified pistol range; and
(ii) under the immediate supervision of another person (B) who holds
a firearms licence that bears an endorsement made under section
30 permitting B to possess a pistol; and
(b) that at all times while A was in possession of the pistol carbine conver- 30
sion kit A was—
(i) on a certified pistol range; and
(ii) under the immediate supervision of B.
62A Section 44A amended (Offence to sell or supply prohibited firearm or
prohibited magazine) 35
In section 44A, insert as subsection (2):
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 62A
71
(2) It is not an offence against this section to sell or supply a semi-automatic pistol
to a person in the person’s capacity referred to in section 29(2)(b), (c), (d), or
(e), if that person has been issued with—
(a) a permit, under section 18, to import a pistol; or
(b) a permit, under section 35, to possess a pistol. 5
63 Section 46 replaced (Carrying of imitation firearm, except for lawful,
proper, and sufficient purpose)
Replace section 46 with:
46 Carrying of imitation firearm, except for lawful, proper, and sufficient
purpose 10
(1) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 1 year, or to a fine not exceeding $4,000, if the person,
except for some lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose, carries an imitation firearm.
(2) In any prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) in which it is proved 15
that the defendant was carrying an imitation firearm, the defendant has the burden of proving the existence of some lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose.
64 Section 48 replaced (Discharging firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted
weapon in or near dwellinghouse or public place)
Replace section 48 with: 20
48 Discharging firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon in or near
dwellinghouse or public place
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person,
without reasonable excuse, discharges a firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted 25
weapon in or near a dwellinghouse or a public place so as to—
(a) endanger property; or
(b) endanger, annoy, or frighten any person.
64A New section 50AA inserted (Unlawful possession of pistol carbine
conversion kit) 30
After section 50, insert:
50AA Unlawful possession of pistol carbine conversion kit
(1) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine not exceeding $4,000, or both, if the
person— 35
(a) is in possession of a pistol carbine conversion kit; and
Part 1 cl 63 Arms Legislation Bill
72
(b) is not a person authorised or permitted, expressly or by implication, by
or under this Act to be in possession of that pistol carbine conversion kit.
(2) In any prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) in which it is proved
that the defendant was in possession of a pistol carbine conversion kit, the
defendant has the burden of proving that they were authorised or permitted, 5
expressly or by implication, by or under this Act to be in possession of the pistol carbine conversion kit.
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) if the
defendant proves that the pistol carbine conversion kit was in their possession
for use— 10
(a) on a certified range; and
(b) under the immediate supervision of another person who holds a firearms
licence bearing an endorsement made under section 30 permitting them
to possess a pistol.
64B New section 50CA inserted (Unlawful possession of prohibited 15
ammunition)
After section 50C, insert:
50CA Unlawful possession of prohibited ammunition
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 2 years if the person— 20
(a) is in possession of prohibited ammunition; and
(b) is not authorised or permitted expressly by or pursuant to this Act to be
in possession of the prohibited ammunition.
65 Section 50D amended (Unlawfully carrying or possessing prohibited
firearm in public place) 25
In section 50D, replace “7 years” with “5 years”.
66 Section 52 amended (Presenting firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted
weapon at other person)
In section 52(1) and (2), replace “3 months or to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or
to both” with “6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000,”. 30
67 Section 53A amended (Use or attempted use of prohibited firearm to resist
or prevent arrest or commit offence)
In section 53A(2), replace “7 years” with “5 years”.
68 Section 54 amended (Use or attempted use of firearm, etc, to resist or
prevent arrest or commit offence) 35
(1) In the heading to section 54, replace “firearm” with “airgun”.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 68
73
(2) In section 54(1), before “restricted weapon”, insert “airgun,”.
69 Section 55B amended (Offence of failing to produce firearm, etc, on
demand or to permit inspection of firearm, etc)
(1) In the heading to section 55B, replace “firearm” with “prohibited firearm”.
(2) In section 55B, replace “3 months” with “6 months”. 5
(3) In section 55B, replace “$1,000” with “$10,000”.
(4) In section 55B, replace “fails” with “fails without reasonable excuse”.
70 New sections 55C to 55I inserted
After section 55B, insert:
55C Offence of failing to produce firearm other than pistol, restricted weapon, 10
or prohibited firearm on demand or to permit inspection of firearm
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, fails to—
(a) produce a firearm (other than a pistol, restricted weapon, or prohibited
firearm) in their possession to a member of the Police on demand; or 15
(b) permit a member of the Police to inspect a firearm (other than a pistol,
restricted weapon, or prohibited firearm) or the place where it is kept, or
to enter that place.
55D Offences relating to illegal manufacturing of certain arms items
(1) A person commits an offence if the person— 20
(a) intentionally manufactures or assembles a firearm using parts that have
been illegally manufactured, imported, or trafficked; or
(b) intentionally enters into a contract or an arrangement, or arrives at an
understanding, to manufacture or assemble a firearm using parts that
have been illegally manufactured, imported, or trafficked; or 25
(c) does not hold a dealer’s licence, but intentionally manufactures for sale,
transfer, rental, or other supply—
(i) a firearm, pistol, prohibited firearm, or restricted weapon; or
(ii) a part of a firearm, pistol, prohibited firearm, or restricted
weapon; or 30
(iii) a pistol carbine conversion kit; or
(d) does not hold a dealer’s licence, but intentionally enters into a contract
or an arrangement, or arrives at an understanding, to manufacture for
sale, transfer, rental, or other supply—
(i) a firearm, pistol, prohibited firearm, or restricted weapon; or 35
Part 1 cl 69 Arms Legislation Bill
74
(ii) a part of a firearm, pistol, prohibited firearm, or restricted
weapon; or
(iii) a pistol carbine conversion kit; or
(e) intentionally fails to mark a firearm, or part of a firearm, part of a firearm, or pistol carbine conversion kit manufactured by the person in 5
accordance with this Act or regulations made under section 74.
(2) A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.
(3) For the purposes of this section, anything that purports to be, or is intended to
have the effect of, a contract, an arrangement, or an understanding must be 10
treated as a contract, an arrangement, or an understanding (as the case may be).
55E Offences relating to illegal trafficking of firearms, parts, or ammunition
(1) A person commits an offence if the person intentionally—
(a) moves, delivers, sends, or transfers any firearm, pistol, pistol carbine
conversion kit, prohibited firearm, or restricted weapon, or any part or 15
ammunition, into New Zealand without lawful authority, or if the item is
not marked in accordance with this Act and regulations made under section 74, whether or not the person intends to export the item from New
Zealand; or
(b) moves, delivers, sends, or transfers any firearm, pistol, pistol carbine 20
conversion kit, prohibited firearm, or restricted weapon, or any part or
ammunition, from New Zealand to another country, without lawful
authority, or if the item is not marked in accordance with this Act and
regulations made under section 74; or
(c) moves, delivers, sends, or transfers any firearm, pistol, pistol carbine 25
conversion kit, prohibited firearm, or restricted weapon, or any part or
ammunition, through or across New Zealand to another country without
lawful authority; or
(d) moves, delivers, sends, or transfers any firearm, pistol, pistol carbine
conversion kit, prohibited firearm, or restricted weapon, or any part or 30
ammunition, into another country from or through New Zealand without
lawful authority.
(2) A person commits an offence if the person intentionally enters into a contract
or an arrangement, or arrives at an understanding, to do anything described in
subsection (1)(a) to (d). 35
(3) A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) or (2) is liable on
conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.
(4) For the purposes of this section, anything that purports to be, or is intended to
have the effect of, a contract, an arrangement, or an understanding must be
treated as a contract, an arrangement, or an understanding (as the case may be). 40
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 70
75
(5) Any firearm, pistol, pistol carbine conversion kit, prohibited firearm, or restricted weapon, or any part or ammunition, that is imported within the meaning of
the Customs and Excise Act 2018 and that arrives in New Zealand in any manner in contravention of this section, must be treated, on importation, as a prohibited good for the purposes of the Customs and Excise Act 2018, except sec- 5
tions 388 and 389 of that Act.
55F Offences relating to falsifying firearm markings
(1) A person commits an offence if the person intentionally—
(a) marks a complete firearm, or a complete but unassembled firearm, with
false any false identifying markings at the time of manufacture; or 10
(b) marks an imported firearm with false any false identifying markings.
(2) A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.
55G Offences relating to removing or altering firearm markings
(1) A person commits an offence if the person, without reasonable excuse, obliter- 15
ates, removes, or alters a marking on a firearm or part.
(2) A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years.
(3) If any mark is removed for a lawful and proper purpose, the firearm or part
must be re-marked in accordance with the marking requirements of this Act 20
and regulations made under section 74.
55H Extraterritorial jurisdiction for offences against section 55D, 55E, 55F, or
55G
(1) Even if the acts or omissions alleged to constitute the offence occurred wholly
outside New Zealand, proceedings may be brought for any offence against 25
section 55D, 55E, 55F, or 55G—
(a) if the person to be charged—
(i) is a New Zealand citizen; or
(ii) is ordinarily resident in New Zealand; or
(iii) has been found in New Zealand and has not been extradited; or 30
(iv) is an entity incorporated or registered under the law of New Zealand; or
(b) if any of the acts or omissions are alleged to have occurred on board—
(i) a ship registered, or required to be registered, under the Ship
Registration Act 1992; or 35
(ii) a ship used as a ship of the New Zealand Defence Force; or
Part 1 cl 70 Arms Legislation Bill
76
(iii) an aircraft registered, or required to be registered, in New Zealand
under the Civil Aviation Act 1990; or
(iv) an aircraft for the time being used as an aircraft of the New Zealand Defence Force; or
(v) an aircraft that is leased to a lessee whose principal place of busi- 5
ness is in New Zealand, or who is a New Zealand citizen or a person ordinarily resident in New Zealand.
(2) The following sections do not apply to an offence against section 55D, 55E,
55F, or 55G:
(a) section 8 of the Crimes Act 1961 (which relates to jurisdiction in respect 10
of crimes on ships or aircraft beyond New Zealand):
(b) section 400 of the Crimes Act 1961 (which requires the consent of the
Attorney-General to proceedings in certain cases for offences on ships or
aircraft).
(3) Nothing in this section limits— 15
(a) the application of section 55D, 55E, 55F, or 55G to acts or omissions
that occurred wholly in New Zealand; or
(b) the application of section 7 of the Crimes Act 1961 to the occurrence in
New Zealand of—
(i) an act or omission forming part of an offence; or 20
(ii) an event necessary to the completion of an offence; or
(c) the application of section 8A of the Crimes Act 1961.
55I Attorney-General’s consent required
(1) No charging document may be filed against any person in relation to an offence
against section 55D, 55E, 55F, or 55G committed outside New Zealand 25
unless the Attorney-General consents to the filing of the charging document.
(2) A person alleged to have committed an offence against section 55D, 55E,
55F, or 55G may be arrested without a warrant or a warrant for their arrest
may be issued and executed, and they may be remanded in custody or on bail,
even though the consent of the Attorney-General has not yet been obtained 30
under subsection (1), but no further or other proceedings may be taken until
the consent has been obtained.
71 New section 58A inserted (Offences relating to registry)
After section 58, insert:
58A Offences relating to registry 35
(1) A person commits an offence who, without reasonable excuse, fails to provide
information to the Police in accordance with section 94.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 71
77
(2) A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
(3) A person commits an offence if the person intentionally fails to provide information to the Police in accordance with section 94.
(4) A person commits an offence if the person provides information to the Police 5
for inclusion in the registry, knowing the information to be false or misleading
in a material respect.
(5) A person who commits an offence against subsection (3) or (4) is liable on
conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, or to a fine not
exceeding $20,000. 10
72 Section 59 amended (Unsafe firearms or pistols)
Replace section 59(4) with:
(4) An owner of a firearm or pistol commits an offence and is liable on conviction
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding
$10,000, if the owner, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a notice 15
given to them under subsection (2) in respect of that firearm or pistol.
73 New Part 9 heading inserted
After section 59, insert:
Part 9
Miscellaneous provisions 20
74 Section 59A amended (Surrender by licensed dealer of firearms, etc)
(1) In section 59A(1) and (2), replace “Arms Office” with “Police station”.
(2) In section 59A(1), replace “immediately” with “within 5 working days”.
74 Section 59A replaced (Surrender by licensed dealer of firearms, etc)
Replace section 59A with: 25
59A Surrender by licensed dealer of firearms, etc
(1) A licensed dealer does not contravene section 10 if, on obtaining possession of
any of the following items from any person, the licensed dealer surrenders the
item within 5 working days to the nearest Police station for inspection and
inquiries: 30
(a) a pistol:
(b) a pistol carbine conversion kit:
(c) a restricted weapon:
(d) a prohibited item.
Part 1 cl 72 Arms Legislation Bill
78
(2) A licensed dealer does not contravene section 12 if the licensed dealer does not
record the particulars of any of the following items that is received by that
dealer and, within 5 working days, surrenders the item to the nearest Police station for inspection and inquiries:
(a) a firearm: 5
(b) an airgun:
(c) a pistol:
(d) a pistol carbine conversion kit:
(e) a prohibited item:
(f) a restricted weapon. 10
74A Section 59B replaced (Voluntary delivery to Police of firearms, etc)
Replace section 59B with:
59B Voluntary delivery to Police of firearms, etc
(1) If any arms item or ammunition is delivered to the Police by a person who is
not authorised to be in possession of the item or ammunition, it is affirmed that 15
the Police have the discretion not to prosecute in any case where—
(a) the offence is considered to be one of possession only; and
(b) there is no public interest in proceeding with the prosecution.
(2) See also Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule 1 (which contain amnesty provisions).
75 New sections 60 to 60B inserted 20
After section 59B, insert:
60 Improvement notices
(1) This section applies if a member of the Police reasonably believes that a person
with a firearms or dealer’s licence, or an ammunition seller, or a shooting range
operator is failing, has failed, or is likely to fail to comply with— 25
(a) 1 or more applicable provisions of this Act or regulations made under
this Act; or
(b) any conditions on a licence, an endorsement, or a permit.
(2) The member of the Police may issue an improvement notice that—
(a) states the applicable provision or provisions, or condition or conditions, 30
that the member of the Police reasonably believes the person is failing,
has failed, or is likely to fail to comply with; and
(b) requires the person to remedy the failure or prevent a failure from occurring; and
(c) states the date by which the person is required to remedy the failure or 35
prevent a failure from occurring.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 75
79
(3) An improvement notice must be in writing and be sent to the person by post or
electronic means to their last known address.
(4) The member of the Police may extend the time within which the person is
required to remedy the failure or prevent a failure from occurring.
(5) A person issued with an improvement notice must comply with the notice 5
within the time specified in the notice (or within any extended time allowed by
the officer member of the Police). See sections 60A and 60B for possible
suspension and revocation of a licence if a person fails to comply with an
improvement notice.
60A Temporary suspension of licence pending possible revocation 10
(1) A member of the Police may, by notice in writing to the holder of a firearms or
dealer’s licence, temporarily suspend the licence if satisfied that 1 or more of
the following apply:
(a) the holder is not a fit and proper person to be in possession of any firearm or airgun, which includes a case where— 15
(i) the holder has failed or refused to secure any firearms, parts,
magazines, ammunition, airguns, or restricted weapons arms items
or ammunition in the person’s possession, in accordance with
regulations made under this Act; or
(ii) the holder has failed to comply with any conditions imposed on 20
their licence; or
(iii) the holder has failed to comply with an improvement notice issued
under section 60; or
(iv) the member of the Police is so satisfied on the basis of a notice
given under section 91 by a health practitioner:; or 25
(v) the licence has been seized under section 18 of the Search and
Surveillance Act 2012:
(b) the holder, being the holder of a dealer’s licence, is not a fit and proper
person to hold a dealer’s licence:
(c) the licence has been seized under section 18 of the Search and Surveil- 30
lance Act 2012:
(d) access to any firearm or airgun in the possession of the holder is reasonably likely to be obtained by—
(i) a person whose application for a firearms licence has been
refused; or 35
(ii) a person whose firearms licence has been revoked; or
(iii) a person who, in the opinion of a member of the Police, is not a fit
and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or an airgun; or
Part 1 cl 75 Arms Legislation Bill
80
(iv) a person whose application for a permit under section 7 of the
Arms Act 1958, or for a certificate of registration under section 9
of that Act, was refused on the ground that the person was not a fit
and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or an airgun; or
(v) a person whose certificate of registration as the owner of a firearm 5
was revoked under section 10 of the Arms Act 1958 on the ground
that the person was not a fit and proper person to be in possession
of a firearm; or
(vi) a person, other than the holder, whose firearms licence has been
temporarily suspended. 10
(2) A notice of temporary suspension of a licence must state—
(a) the ground on which the notice is given; and
(b) that the suspension is to enable the Police to consider revoking the
licence on that ground; and
(c) that the holder may, at any time before a day stated in the notice, make 15
oral or written submissions on whether the licence should be revoked in
accordance with section 27 on that ground; and
(d) that the suspension lasts until notice of the decision as to whether the
licence has been revoked is given to the holder, but if the notice is not
given within 90 days after the suspension takes effect, the suspension 20
ends with the close of that 90-day period; and
(e) that the effect of the notice is that the holder is treated as not holding the
licence for the purposes of this Act until a final determination on revocation of the licence is made (see section 60B); and
(f) that the holder may commit an offence if the holder carries on any activ- 25
ities that require the holder to be licensed under this Act; and
(g) that the holder may be required immediately or before to a date specified
by a member of the Police to surrender to Police the holder’s licence and
the firearms, parts, magazines, ammunition, airguns, and restricted
weapons arms items and ammunition in the holder’s possession. 30
(3) The day stated under subsection (2)(c) must not be sooner than, in the opinion of the Police, is reasonable to enable the holder to prepare and make submissions.
60B Effect of temporary suspension of licence
(1) When, or at any time after, a temporary licence suspension notice is given to 35
the holder, any member of the Police may require the holder (orally or in writing) to surrender the licence and, in that case, the holder must immediately do
so.
(2) On and after the date on which the holder of a firearms licence is given a
notice,— 40
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 75
81
(a) this Act applies as if the holder is not licensed to possess firearms, parts,
magazines, ammunition, airguns, or restricted weapons by virtue of the
licence or any endorsement on it; and
(b) section 28 (except subsections (3) and (4)) applies if the suspended
licence is a firearms licence as if the licence had been revoked. 5
(2) On and after the date on which the holder of a firearms licence is given a
notice, this Act applies as if the holder were not licensed to possess any arms
item or ammunition by virtue of the licence or any endorsement on it.
(3) On and after the date on which the holder of a dealer’s licence is given a
notice,— 10
(a) this Act applies as if the holder is were not authorised to carry on any
dealer activity; and
(b) an employee of the holder may not carry on a dealer activity for the
holder.
(4) On and after the date on which the holder is given a notice or if the holder fails 15
to surrender the arms items concerned, as required by a notice given under
section 60A, a member of the Police may seize and take possession of all or
any firearms, parts, magazines, ammunition, airguns, or restricted weapons in
the possession or under the control of the holder any arms item or ammunition
in the possession or under the control of the holder. 20
(5) If the suspended licence is a firearms licence, subsection (4) applies despite
subsection (2)(b).
(6) If a person’s firearms licence is suspended, and the person holds a dealer’s
licence, the dealer’s licence is automatically suspended while the firearms
licence remains suspended. 25
76 Section 62 replaced (Right of appeal from official decisions)
Replace section 62 with:
62 Right of review of official decisions
(1) This section applies to a decision to refuse an application for, or to revoke, a
firearms licence. 30
(2) A person who is the subject of a decision to which this section applies may
apply in the prescribed manner to the Commissioner for a review of the decision.
(3) An application must state—
(a) the decision that the applicant wishes to be reviewed; and 35
(b) the reasons why the applicant thinks the decision should be reviewed;
and
(c) the outcome the applicant is seeking.
Part 1 cl 76 Arms Legislation Bill
82
(4) An application must, subject to subsection (5), be made within 28 days after
the date on which notice of the relevant decision is given to the person.
(5) The Commissioner may accept a late application no later than 28 days after the
closing date in subsection (4) if satisfied that there are extenuating circumstances that affected the ability of the claimant to make the application by the 5
closing date.
62A How review to be conducted
(1) The Commissioner must delegate under section 72 the responsibility for
reviewing a decision to which section 62 applies to 1 or more persons other
than the person who made the original decision. 10
(2) The reviewer must review the decision on the papers within 28 days after the
date on which the application for review was lodged.
(3) The Commissioner must give the applicant a written or an electronic notice of
the reviewer’s decision, and that decision has effect according to its terms.
(4) The original decision remains in force until the reviewer’s decision is notified 15
to the applicant.
62B Right of appeal to District Court
(1) A person who is the subject of a decision referred to in paragraph (a) or (b)
or is a person described in paragraph (c) may, by way of originating application, appeal to a District Court Judge against the decision as follows: 20
(a) a decision to refuse an application for any of the following:
(i) a dealer’s licence:
(ii) consent under section 7A:
(iii) a permit for the purposes of section 16(1):
(iv) a firearms licence: 25
(v) an endorsement under section 30, 30B, or 36:
(vi) a permit under section 35 to possess a pistol or restricted weapon:
(via) a permit under section 35AAA to possess a pistol carbine conversion kit:
(vii) a permit under section 35A to possess a prohibited item: 30
(viii) a certificate of approval for a shooting club under section 38F:
(x) certification of a shooting range under section 38O:
(b) a decision to issue subject to conditions imposed by a member of the
Police, or to revoke, any of the following:
(i) a dealer’s licence: 35
(ii) a permit for the purposes of section 16(1):
(iii) a firearms licence:
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 76
83
(iv) an endorsement under section 30, 30B, or 36:
(v) a permit under section 35 to possess a pistol or restricted weapon:
(va) a permit under section 35AAA to possess a pistol carbine conversion kit:
(vi) a permit under section 35A to possess a prohibited item: 5
(viii) a certificate of approval for a shooting club under section 38F:
(ix) certification of a shooting range under section 38O:
(c) a person who has been served with a notice under section 41 or 59 59 or
66C.
(2) However, in the case of a decision to which section 62 applies, a person has 10
no right of appeal under this section unless the person has—
(a) first applied under section 62 for a review of the decision; and
(b) been notified of the reviewer’s decision.
(3) On hearing an appeal under subsection (1), the District Court Judge may,
subject to subsection (5), confirm, vary, or reverse the decision appealed 15
against.
(4) Subsection (5) applies if—
(a) an application for a firearms licence has been refused on the ground set
out in section 24(2); or
(b) a firearms licence has been revoked on the ground set out in section 20
27(1)(b).
(5) If this subsection applies, the District Court Judge may, even though the Judge
finds that ground established, vary or reverse the decision appealed against if
satisfied that, since the decision was given, adequate measures have been taken
to deny access to the firearm to the person whose likelihood of access to it was 25
the basis of the refusal or revocation.
62C Further provisions relating to appeals
(1) Despite the fact that any appeal under section 62B may have been determined
in favour of the appellant, any commissioned officer of Police, in the exercise
of powers conferred on the officer by this Act, may, subject to the like right of 30
appeal, revoke any licence or permit to which the appeal related, or any licence
or permit granted in compliance with the decision of the District Court Judge
on the appeal, on any sufficient grounds supported by facts or evidence discovered since the hearing of the appeal.
(2) The decision of the District Court Judge on any appeal under this section sec- 35
tion 62B is final and conclusive, subject to subsection (1) and to section 64.
(3) No person is excused from complying with any of the provisions of this Act on
the ground that—
Part 1 cl 76 Arms Legislation Bill
84
(a) the person has applied for a review under section 62B and the review
is pending; or
(b) the person has appealed under section 62B and the appeal or the decision on the appeal is pending.
76A Section 63 amended (Appeal to District Court Judge in respect of 5
compensation)
In section 63, after “pistol”, insert “pistol carbine conversion kit,”.
77 Section 64 amended (Appeal on a question of law)
In section 64(1), replace “section 62” with “section 62B”.
77A Section 65 amended (Restoration of articles seized) 10
In section 65, after “pistol,”, insert “pistol carbine conversion kit,”.
78 Cross-heading above section 66 replaced
Replace the cross-heading above section 66 with:
Other miscellaneous provisions
79 New sections 66A to 66D inserted 15
After section 66, insert:
66A Loss, theft, or destruction of firearm, etc
(1) This section applies if—
(a) a firearm, prohibited magazine, prohibited part, or restricted weapon is
lost, stolen, or destroyed; or 20
(b) a non-prohibited part or non-prohibited magazine that is required to be
recorded in the registry is lost, stolen, or destroyed.
(2) The owner of the firearm, magazine, part, or restricted weapon must—
(a) immediately notify a member of the Police of the loss, theft, or destruction; and 25
(b) give all information in their possession relating to the loss, theft, or
destruction to the member of the Police.
(3) A notification under subsection (2) must be given in the form or manner
approved by the Commissioner.
(4) Every person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not 30
exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (2).
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 79
85
66B Person in possession of firearm, etc, must give identifying information to
Police
(1) A person in possession of any firearm, airgun, pistol, magazine, part, restricted
weapon, arms item or ammunition, must, on demand, give their full name,
address, and date of birth to any member of the Police who is in uniform or 5
who produces evidence that they are a member of the Police.
(2) If any person refuses to give their name, address, or date of birth, or gives false
particulars about their name, address, or date of birth, a constable—
(a) may caution that person; and
(b) if that person persists in the refusal or fails or continues to refuse to give 10
the correct particulars, may arrest the person without warrant.
(3) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person,
in response to a demand under subsection (1) or (2),—
(a) without reasonable excuse, refuses to give their name, address, or date of 15
birth; or
(b) willingly gives false particulars, without reasonable excuse, about their
name, address, or date of birth.
66C Powers of Police to require surrender of airguns or antique firearms
(1) If any person who is not the holder of a firearms licence or a dealer’s licence is 20
in possession of an airgun or antique firearm, a commissioned officer of Police
may, by notice in writing served on that person, require that person to surrender
the airgun or antique firearm to a member of the Police, if that officer is of the
opinion that that person is not a fit and proper person to be in possession of the
airgun or antique firearm. 25
(2) If any person is served with a notice under subsection (1), that person must,
on demand, deliver the airgun or antique firearm to a member of the Police,
and section 28(2) to (4) applies accordingly with all necessary modifications.
(3) Any person required under this section to surrender an airgun or antique firearm may appeal under section 62 against the requirement, and that section 30
applies accordingly with all necessary modifications.
(4) A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person,
without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a notice given to them under
subsection (1). 35
66D Obligations of owner or operator of craft temporarily visiting New
Zealand and carrying firearms, etc
(1) If a craft arriving from a foreign country is, at any time, temporarily berthed,
moored, or anchored in any harbour or territorial waters of New Zealand, and
Part 1 cl 79 Arms Legislation Bill
86
has on board any arms items that are not being off-loaded, the owner or operator of the craft must—
(a) include details of all arms items on board the craft—
(i) in an advance notice of arrival that is required to be provided to
the New Zealand Customs Service by section 12 of the Customs 5
and Excise Act 2018; or
(ii) in an inward report that is required to be provided to the New Zealand Customs Service by section 24 of the Customs and Excise
Act 2018; and
(b) comply with any directions given by the New Zealand Customs Service 10
or a member of the Police relating to the secure storage of those arms
items, which may include a direction that the arms items be temporarily
surrendered to a member of the Police or a Customs officer.
(2) If the owner or operator of a craft does not comply with any direction given
under subsection (1)(b), a member of the Police or a Customs officer may— 15
(a) board the craft; and
(b) seize and detain the arms items; and
(c) in effecting the seizure and detention of the arms items, use any reasonably necessary force.
(3) In this section,— 20
arms items means any firearms, pistols, restricted airguns, prohibited items,
restricted weapons, pistol carbine conversion kits, or ammunition
craft has the meaning given in section 5(1) of the Customs and Excise Act
2018
operator has the meaning given in section 5(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 25
2018
owner has the meaning given in section 5(1) of the Customs and Excise Act
2018.
80 Section 69 replaced (Forfeitures)
Replace section 69 with: 30
69 Forfeitures
(1) If a person is convicted of an offence of using, carrying, or being in possession
of any specified item, the convicting court must, as part of the sentencing,
order that the specified item be forfeited to the Crown.
(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply and the convicting court need not 35
make an order under that provision if the court considers that, given the circumstances of the offending, it would be unjust to make that order.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 80
87
(3) Any specified item ordered under subsection (1) to be forfeited to the
Crown—
(a) is forfeited to the Crown accordingly; and
(b) may be disposed of in any manner that the Commissioner directs.
(4) In this section, specified item means any firearm, airgun, pistol, restricted 5
weapon, imitation firearm, prohibited item, pistol carbine conversion kit,
ammunition, or explosive.
80A Section 70 amended (Authorising disposal of firearms, etc, detained by
Police)
In section 70(1) and (2), after “prohibited part,”, insert “pistol carbine conver- 10
sion kit,” in each place.
81 Section 72A amended (Service of documents)
After section 72A(1)(c), insert:
(d) made available to that person electronically through the registry, so long
as an email is sent to an address supplied by the person to tell them that 15
the notice or other document has been made available and the person has
agreed to receive notices or documents in that way.
81A Section 73 amended (Savings in respect of carriers and persons authorised
to exercise powers of seizure)
In section 73(1)(a) and (b), after “prohibited part,” insert “a pistol carbine con- 20
version kit,”.
82 Section 74 amended (Regulations)
(1) In section 74(1)(b), after “licences,”, insert “certificates of approval, certifications,”.
(2) After section 74(1)(ba), insert: 25
(bb) providing criteria, not inconsistent with this Act, for finding that an
applicant for a firearms licence is not a fit and proper person to be in
possession of a firearm or an airgun:
(bc) providing criteria, not inconsistent with this Act, for finding that an
applicant for a firearms licence is a fit and proper person to be in posses- 30
sion of a firearm or an airgun:
(3) In section 74(1)(e), after “licences,”, insert “certificates of approval, certifications,”.
(4) Repeal section 74(1)(f) and (2).
(5) After section 74(1)(g), insert: 35
Part 1 cl 80A Arms Legislation Bill
88
(ga) prescribing the details that persons carrying on business are required
under section 22D to enter in the registry relating to the sale or supply
of ammunition:
(gb) prescribing the particulars that are required to be included in annual
reports of shooting clubs, including (but not limited to) finances, storage, 5
safety, discipline, training, competitions, office holders, membership,
participating non-members, and ratios of members who are licence holders, endorsement holders, or trained range officers to those who are not:
(gc) prescribing the information and documents required to support an application under section 38C for approval of a shooting club: 10
(gd) prescribing the information and documents required to support an application under section 38L for certification of a shooting range, including the types of firearms and ammunition for which the range is certified:
(6) In section 74(1)(h), after “licensed dealers”, insert “and the period for which 15
any of those records must be kept”.
(6A) In section 74(1)(i) and (j), after “restricted weapons,”, insert “pistol carbine
conversion kits,”.
(6B) After section 74(1)(i), insert:
(ia) making provision for the security of any premises at which an ammuni- 20
tion seller carries on business and prescribing precautions to be taken to
prevent the theft or misuse of ammunition in the possession of ammunition sellers:
(7) After section 74(1)(j), insert:
(ja) regulating 1 or more of the following: the advertising, promotion, or dis- 25
play of any firearm, firearm part, magazine, or ammunition by persons
who sell or let out on hire any of those items:
(jb) without limiting paragraph (ja), requiring those sellers and persons
who let out on hire to provide specified information to customers
about— 30
(i) the legal conditions and requirements that apply to the purchase,
possession, and use of firearms, parts, magazines, and ammunition
(such as the legal age of purchase, licence or endorsement requirements, and safe storage requirements); and
(ii) specific requirements and restrictions relevant to the item that is 35
for sale or hire:
(ja) providing for 1 or more of the following in relation to the sale or hiring
of any arms item and ammunition:
(i) material that must be included in any advertising, promotion, or
display of any arms item and ammunition: 40
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 82
89
(ii) advice that must be provided about legal conditions and requirements that apply to the purchase, possession, and use of arms
items and ammunition (such as the legal age of purchase, licence
or endorsement requirements, safe handling, transport, and storage): 5
(iii) different requirements for different types of sale or hire activities
carried out by dealers:
(jc) providing for 1 or more of the following in relation to notices given by
health practitioners for the purposes of section 91:
(i) the information that the Police must provide to a licence holder 10
when notifying the holder that a report has been received from a
health practitioner:
(ii) the period within which a licence holder must undergo a further
assessment or surrender their licence, for the purposes of section
91(3): 15
(iii) the kinds or classes of health practitioners who may make a further assessment under section 91 and any time limits or other
requirements that apply to the assessment:
(iv) the responsibilities of a health practitioner who makes a further
assessment: 20
(8) Replace section 74(1)(l) with:
(l) making provisions that relate to any marking required for any firearms,
magazines, and parts with identifying marks markings:
(9) After section 74(1)(p), insert:
(pa) providing for any matters necessary or desirable for the efficient oper- 25
ation of the registry, including provisions that—
(i) require licence holders or other persons to provide specified information to the Police for inclusion in the registry and specify the
circumstances in which the requirement applies:
(ii) specify the manner or form in which information is required to be 30
provided to the Police for inclusion in the registry:
(iii) impose additional requirements or conditions to be met by persons
who apply under section 4A (permit to import, sell, supply, possess, or use a prohibited item), 7A (gun shows), or 18 (permit to
import firearms): 35
(iii) impose additional requirements to be met for the purposes of the
registry by persons described in section 4A who apply for—
(A) consent to conduct business at a gun show under section
7A; or
(B) a permit to import under section 18; or 40
Part 1 cl 82 Arms Legislation Bill
90
(C) an endorsement under section 30B to possess a prohibited
firearm; or
(D) a permit to possess under section 35A:
(iv) impose different requirements for different kinds of licences, conditions, or endorsements: 5
(pb) without limiting paragraph (pa)(i), requiring specified persons to provide specified information to the Police in accordance with the regulations in relation to firearms, parts, and magazines that are not required to
be marked with an identifying mark markings (for example, antique firearms and firearms exempted from or not covered by regulations made 10
under paragraph (l)):
(pc) requiring specified particulars to be recorded in the registry for the purpose of section 93(1)(f):
(10) In section 74(1)(r), replace “$400” with “$2,000”.
(11) After section 74(1)(ra), insert: 15
(rb) providing for matters not inconsistent with this Act that relate to the
operation of the advisory group appointed under section 88, including
provisions that—
(i) state the quorum necessary for the transaction of the group’s business: 20
(ii) require members to disclose any direct or indirect interest in a
matter on which the group is providing advice:
(iii) prohibit members from disclosing any information provided to
them in confidence in their capacity as members of the group:
(iv) enable the appointment of subcommittees: 25
(v) relate to the immunity from civil liability of members of the
advisory group:
(rc) providing for matters not inconsistent with this Act that relate to the
operation of the review process under section 62, including provisions
that prescribe, or authorise the Commissioner to prescribe, the form of 30
applications for a review under section 62:
(rd) without limiting any class of persons who are authorised to do so under
section 3, providing for other persons to be authorised to carry or possess firearms, airguns, pistols, prohibited magazines, prohibited parts,
restricted weapons, pistol carbine conversion kits, ammunition, or explo- 35
sives belonging to the Crown:
(re) providing that any requirements mentioned in section 3(5)(a) to (d)
do apply in relation to any firearms or other items regulated by or under
this Act that are owned by the Crown, to the extent provided in the regulations: 40
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 82
91
(12) After section 74(2), insert:
(3) Regulations under subsection (1)(pa) may be made only on the recommendation of the Minister of Police after being satisfied that the Commissioner has
consulted the Privacy Commissioner about the proposed regulations.
(4) Subject to subsection (3), regulations may be made under this section only 5
on the recommendation of the Minister of Police after being satisfied that the
Commissioner has done everything reasonable to consult persons or organisations (or representatives of those organisations) that appear to the Commissioner to be affected or likely to be affected by the regulations, except where
the Minister is satisfied that in the circumstances it was not practicable to con- 10
sult to that extent or to carry out any consultation.
(5) No regulations made under subsection (1)(ja) may come into force earlier
than 3 months after the date of their notification in the Gazette unless the Minister is satisfied that in all the circumstances there are reasons that justify an
earlier commencement date and recommends accordingly. 15
82A Section 74A amended (Order in Council relating to definitions of
prohibited firearm and prohibited magazine, and declaring prohibited
ammunition)
(1) Replace section 74A(a) with:
(a) amend the description in section 2A of a semi-automatic firearm 20
(except a small semi-automatic pistol) or pump-action shotgun that is a
prohibited firearm:
(2) Replace section 74A(c) with:
(c) declare any semi-automatic firearm (except a small semi-automatic pistol) or pump-action firearm of a stated name or description to be a pro- 25
hibited firearm for the purposes of this Act:
82B Section 74C amended (Regulations providing for transitional matters)
In the heading to section 74C, after “matters”, insert “relating to Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019”.
82C New section 74D inserted (Regulations providing for transitional matters 30
relating to Arms Legislation Act 2019)
After section 74C, insert:
74D Regulations providing for transitional matters relating to Arms
Legislation Act 2019
(1) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation 35
of the Minister of Police, make regulations—
Part 1 cl 82A Arms Legislation Bill
92
(a) providing transitional and savings provisions concerning the coming into
force of the amendment Act that may be in addition to the transitional
and savings provisions in Part 2 of Schedule 1:
(b) providing that (subject to any conditions specified in the regulations),
during a specified transitional period,— 5
(i) specified provisions of this Act (including definitions or transitional and savings provisions) do not apply (or apply with modifications or additions):
(ii) specified provisions repealed or amended by the amendment Act
continue to apply (or continue to apply with modifications or add- 10
itions):
(iii) conditions for the possession and use of a specified item apply
during the amnesty period (as defined in clause 8 of Schedule
1).
(2) The Minister may recommend the making of regulations under this section 15
only if the Minister is satisfied that the regulations are necessary or desirable
for the orderly implementation of the amendment Act.
(3) On the close of 31 December 2021,—
(a) this section is repealed; and
(b) any regulations made under it are revoked. 20
(4) In this section, amendment Act means the Arms Legislation Act 2019.
83 New sections 79 to 95 and cross-headings inserted
After section 78, insert:
Cost recovery
79 Purpose of sections 80 to 86 25
The purpose of sections 80 to 86 is to enable the Police to recover its costs
in respect of certain activities undertaken by the Police under this Act.
Compare: 2008 No 72 s 79A
80 Activities that may be subject to cost recovery
(1) The Minister of Police may recommend the making of a regulation under sec- 30
tion 86 only if satisfied that the fee or charge concerned relates to an activity
in respect of any licence, application, or other matter under this Act that is
undertaken by the Police in administering this Actundertaken by the Police in
accordance with this Act in relation to a person, shooting club, or shooting
range. 35
(2) The activities for which fees or charges may be imposed under section 86—
(a) include—
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 83
93
(i) the development, provision, or approval of training materials, and
testing of applicants, for any licence, endorsement, certificate, or
approval; and
(ii) the assessment of applications for any licence, endorsement, permit, certificate, or approval; and 5
(iii) the issue of, administration relating to, and recording of any
licence, endorsement, permit, certificate, approval, transaction, or
notice; and
(iv) the monitoring and audit of compliance or non-compliance with
the requirements and conditions relating to any licence, endorse- 10
ment, permit, transaction, certificate, approval, or notice; but
(a) include—
(i) processing an application for a firearms or dealer’s licence,
including assessing whether the applicant is a fit and proper person: 15
(ii) providing training and testing services in relation to obtaining a
firearms licence:
(iii) issuing any licence under this Act:
(iv) processing any application for an endorsement, a permit to possess, or permit to import: 20
(v) issuing any endorsement, a permit to possess, or permit to import:
(vi) undertaking inspections and compliance checks, including checks
relating to any licence, endorsement, permit, certification, conditions, or improvement notices:
(vii) providing testing of samples in relation to firearms, firearm parts, 25
magazines, or ammunition:
(viii) processing any application for approval or certification of a club
or range:
(ix) approving the manufacture for sale of arms items:
(b) do not include— 30
(i) the response of the Police to calls relating to potential offending;
or
(ii) the conduct of criminal investigations; or
(iii) the prosecution of criminal offences.
Compare: 2008 No 72 s 79B 35
81 Criteria for cost recovery
The Minister of Police may recommend that regulations be made under section 86(a) only if the Minister is satisfied that,—
Part 1 cl 83 Arms Legislation Bill
94
(a) subject to the provisions of section 86, the fee or charge recovers no
more than the actual and reasonable costs (including both direct and
indirect costs) of the activity to which the fee or charge relates; and
(b) the fee or charge for the activity or class of activities to which the fee or
charge relates is generally obtained from the users or beneficiaries of the 5
service or class of services to which the activity relates (for example,
from firearms licence holders, if the activity is updating the registry) at a
level commensurate, as far as practicable, with their use of the service;
and
(c) the costs of the activity to which the fee or charge relates are efficiently 10
incurred; and
(d) the relationship between the costs of the activity to which the fee or
charge relates and the nature and duration of the activity is clear.
Compare: 2008 No 72 s 79C
82 Consultation 15
(1) The Minister of Police may recommend that regulations be made under section 86(a) only if the Minister is satisfied that the Commissioner has done
everything reasonable on the Commissioner’s part to consult the persons or
organisations (or representatives of those organisations) that appear to the
Commissioner to be affected or likely to be affected by the fee or charge. 20
(2) The process for consultation must, to the extent practicable in the circumstances, include—
(a) the giving of appropriate notice of the intention to make the regulation
and of the contents of the proposed regulation; and
(b) a reasonable opportunity for interested persons to make submissions; 25
and
(c) the adequate and appropriate consideration of those submissions.
(3) A failure to comply with this section does not affect the validity of any regulations made under section 86.
Compare: 2008 No 72 s 79D 30
83 Methods of cost recovery
(1) Regulations for the recovery of costs may provide for the following:
(a) fixed fees or charges:
(b) fees or charges based on a scale or formula or at a rate determined on an
hourly or other unit basis: 35
(c) the recovery by way of a fee or charge of estimated actual and reasonable costs expended in, or associated with, the performance of an activity:
(d) fees or charges based on costs incurred from charges by third parties:
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 83
95
(e) any combination of the above.
(2) Without limiting the way in which a fee or charge may be set, a fee or charge
may be set at a level or in a way that—
(a) is determined by calculations that involve an averaging of costs or
potential costs: 5
(b) takes into account costs or potential costs of activities that are not services to be provided directly to the person who pays the fee or charge,
but are an indirect or potential cost arising from the undertaking of the
activity in question in relation to a class of persons or all persons who
use the service or class of services to which the activity relates: 10
(c) takes into account indirect costs, which include the costs and potential
costs of support, maintenance, and development associated with provision of the activity.
Compare: 2008 No 72 s 79E
84 Payment of fee or charge 15
(1) A fee or charge prescribed by regulations made under section 86 is payable at
the time prescribed in respect of a particular activity, whether that time is
before, during, or after completion of the relevant activity.
(2) All fees and charges prescribed by regulations made under section 86 and
received by the Police or any other government agency must be paid into a 20
departmental bank account.
Compare: 2008 No 72 s 79F
85 Exemptions, waivers, and refunds
(1) Regulations made under section 86 may provide for exemptions from, or
waivers or refunds of, any fee or charge prescribed by regulations made under 25
this Act, in whole or in part, in any class of case.
(2) Regulations made under section 86 may authorise the Commissioner, as the
Commissioner thinks fit in the circumstances specified in those regulations, to
exempt, waive, or refund the whole or any part of a fee or charge prescribed by
the regulations. 30
Compare: 2008 No 72 s 79G
86 Regulations relating to cost recovery
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council,—
(a) on the recommendation of the Minister of Police made after consultation
in accordance with section 82, make regulations prescribing fees or 35
charges for specified activities in accordance with sections 79 to 85:
(b) make regulations prescribing the time when a fee or charge prescribed
under this Act becomes payable:
Part 1 cl 83 Arms Legislation Bill
96
(c) make regulations providing for exemptions from, or waivers or refunds
of, any fee or charge prescribed under this Act, in whole or in part, in
any class of case:
(d) make regulations authorising the Commissioner, as the Commissioner
thinks fit in the circumstances specified in those regulations, to exempt, 5
waive, or refund the whole or any part of a fee or charge prescribed by
regulations made under this Act.
Compare: 2008 No 72 s 102A
86 Regulations relating to cost recovery
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council on the recommendation of the 10
Minister of Police made after consultation in accordance with section 82,—
(a) make regulations prescribing fees or charges for specified activities in
accordance with sections 79 to 83:
(b) make regulations for the purposes of section 84:
(c) make regulations for the purposes of section 85. 15
Compare: 2008 No 72 s 102A
Guidance notices
87 Guidance notices
(1) The Commissioner may issue notices that provide guidance or details of an
administrative nature that relate to 1 or more of the following: 20
(a) the requirements of regulations made under section 74(1)(i) that relate to
the security of licensed dealer premises:
(b) the requirements of regulations made under section 74(1)(j) that relate to
the security of premises where firearms are kept:
(c) the issuing of identification numbersidentifying markings for firearms 25
and magazines manufactured in or imported into New Zealand:
(d) the approval of any shooting club or certification of any shooting range:
(e) how to demonstrate the positive behaviours, skills, and knowledge that
are expected of a fit and proper person:
(f) how to manage specific situations where non-licensed persons come into 30
possession of a firearm:
(g) matters that health practitioners consider when determining whether to
notify the Police under section 91:
(h) generally, about any aspect of the Act or regulations made under this Act
where the Commissioner thinks further guidance or detail is useful. 35
(2) The Commissioner must consult the Commissioner’s Firearms Advisory
Group, and may consult any other person or organisation that the Commissioner thinks appropriate, before issuing any notice.
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 83
97
(3) The Commissioner must—
(a) publish the notice in the Gazette; or
(b) notify in the Gazette the fact that the notice has been made and state in
that notification where members of the public can access a copy of the
notice in electronic form. 5
(4) A notice issued under this section is neither a disallowable instrument nor a
legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012.
Commissioner’s Firearms Advisory Group
88 Commissioner’s Firearms Advisory Group
(1) The Commissioner must establish a Commissioner’s Firearms Advisory Group 10
(the advisory group) comprising a chairperson appointed by the Minister of
Police and up to 8 other members appointed by the Commissioner.
(2) The purpose of the advisory group is to advise the Commissioner on matters
that contribute to achieving the objectives of this Act, in particular, the safe use
and control of firearms. 15
(3) The advisory group may provide advice on any matter relating to firearms in
New Zealand, including legislative proposals, policies for regulating New Zealand’s firearms regime, and the promotion of firearms safety.
89 Operations of advisory group
(1) The members of the advisory group must appoint a deputy chairperson from 20
among their number at their first meeting.
(2) The advisory group may determine its own procedure, subject to compliance
with any relevant provisions of this Act and regulations made under this Act.
(3) The advisory group must, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial
year, provide the Commissioner with an annual report of its proceedings and 25
operations during that year.
(4) The Commissioner must provide the resources and administrative support
necessary to enable the advisory group to perform its functions.
(5) The members of the advisory group are immune from liability in civil proceedings for good-faith actions or omissions in pursuance, or intended pursuance, 30
of the duties, functions, or powers of the group, subject to any regulations
made in relation to the group under this Act.
90 Provisions relating to appointment of members of advisory group
(1) The membership of the advisory group must comprise a balance of people from
both the firearm-owning and the non-firearm-owning community, including 35
people who are concerned about the mitigation of harm from firearms from a
health perspective.
Part 1 cl 83 Arms Legislation Bill
98
(2) In appointing any member of the advisory group, the Minister of Police or the
Commissioner (as the case may be) must have regard to the need for the
advisory group to possess knowledge and experience in some or all of the following areas:
(a) New Zealand and international firearms regulatory systems: 5
(b) public health and safety, particularly as it relates to firearms:
(c) firearms research:
(d) firearms safety and the use of firearms:
(e) membership of any community organisation or group involved in firearms awareness, safety, or law reform: 10
(f) any other matters the Minister or the Commissioner (as the case may be)
considers relevant.
(3) A member may be appointed for a term of up to 3 years as specified in the
notice of appointment and be reappointed in the same manner.
(4) The Commissioner must, by notice in the Gazette, notify the appointment of 15
members and their terms of office.
(5) A member is entitled to be—
(a) paid remuneration at a rate and of a kind determined in accordance with
the fees framework; and
(b) reimbursed for actual and reasonable travelling and other expenses in 20
accordance with the fees framework.
(6) In this section, fees framework means the framework determined by the Government for the classification and remuneration of statutory and other bodies in
which the Crown has an interest.
90A Removal of members of advisory group 25
(1) The Minister or Commissioner may, if satisfied that there is just cause to do so,
remove from office any member appointed by them.
(2) The removal must be made by written notice to the member.
(3) The notice must state—
(a) the day on which the removal takes effect, which must not be earlier 30
than the day on which the notice is received; and
(b) the reasons for the removal.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (1), just cause includes misconduct, inability
to perform the functions of office, neglect of duty, and breach of any of the
determinations of the group regarding its operations and procedures (depending 35
on the seriousness of the breach).
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 83
99
Medical assessments
91 Health practitioners may give Police medical reports of persons unfit to
use firearm
(1) This section applies if a health practitioner who has attended or been consulted
in respect of a person who the practitioner knows or has reason to believe is a 5
firearms licence holder considers that the mental or physical condition health
condition of the licence holder is such that, in the interests of the safety of individuals or the public, the licence holder—
(a) should not be permitted to use or possess a firearm; or
(b) should only be permitted to use or possess a firearm subject to any limi- 10
tations that may be warranted by the mental or physical health condition
of the licence holder.
(2) If this section applies, the health practitioner must consider notifying the Police
as soon as practicable—
(a) of the opinion under subsection (1); and 15
(b) the grounds on which it is based; and
(c) whether the practitioner believes the licence holder poses an immediate
or imminent danger of self-harm or harm to others.
(3) The If the Police have been notified by a health practitioner under subsection
(2), the Commissioner may require a licence holder to undergo a further med- 20
ical assessment by a health practitioner who is independent from the practitioner who made the initial assessment and, in that case, the licence holder
must either—
(a) undergo the further assessment; or
(b) surrender their licence under section 27(2). 25
(4) Regulations made under section 74(1)(jc) (if any) apply in relation to any
notice given for the purpose of this section and to any action required under
subsection (3).
(5) A health practitioner is not liable to criminal, civil, or disciplinary proceedings
by disclosing personal information in the course of performing any function or 30
responsibility under this section, as long as the practitioner acts in good faith.
Registration of firearms and dealings
92 Commissioner to keep registry
The Commissioner must keep and operate a registry for the purposes of this
Act. 35
93 Content of registry
(1) The following particulars must be recorded in the registry:
Part 1 cl 83 Arms Legislation Bill
100
(a) the number and date of expiry of every type of licence held by a person
under this Act:
(b) every licence holder’s full name, date of birth, and address:
(c) every endorsement on a licence:
(d) every condition on a licence or an endorsement that is additional to con- 5
ditions imposed by this Act or regulations made under section 74:
(e) the particulars of the make, model, and identifying markings of every
firearm, restricted weapon, and prohibited magazine possessed by a
licence holder, and of the location of the firearm, restricted weapon, and
prohibited magazine, if the particulars are held by the Police: 10
(f) every particular that regulations made under section 74 require to be
recorded in the registry.
(2) The registry may include—
(a) photographs provided under section 34A; and
(b) any other information that the Commissioner considers necessary or 15
desirable—
(i) to ensure that the registry is complete and accurate; or
(ii) for the administration of this Act and regulations made under it;
and
(c) any other photographs that the Commissioner considers necessary or 20
desirable.
94 Obligation to provide information to registry
(1) This section applies to the following persons:
(a) every holder of a firearms licence:
(b) every holder of a dealer’s licence: 25
(c) every other person who is or intends to be in possession of a firearm or
other item controlledregulated by or under this Act.
(2) This section also applies to the following events in relation to any firearm or
other item controlledregulated by or under this Act:
(a) its sale or supply, including a temporary transfer, excluding a temporary 30
transfer:
(b) its purchase or receipt (including a temporary receipt), excluding a temporary transfer:
(c) its importation:
(d) its exportation: 35
(e) its manufacture:
(f) its theft, loss, or destruction:
Arms Legislation Bill Part 1 cl 83
101
(g) any other event specified for the purpose of this section in regulations
made under section 74.
(3) Every person to whom this section applies, and every person who has responsibilty in relation to any event to which this section applies, must provide the
relevant details to the Police in accordance with the time and any other require- 5
ments prescribed by regulations made under section 74.
(4) In this section, temporary transfer means a transfer of possession of the firearm (not being a pistol, restricted weapon, prohibited magazine, or prohibited
firearm) or other item for less than 30 days.
Review of operation of this Act 10
95 Review of this Act
(1) The Minister of Police must—
(a) review the operation of this Act, including the impact of the Arms
Legislation Act 2019 (the amendment Act), when the amendment
Act has been fully in force for 5 years; and 15
(b) prepare a report on that review, including recommendations for amendments to this Act.
(2) The review must be completed within 18 months after the amendment Act has
been fully in force for 5 years.
(3) The Minister must present the report to the House of Representatives as soon 20
as practicable after it has been completed.
84 New Part 2 of Schedule 1 inserted
In Schedule 1, after Part 1, insert the Part 2 set out in Schedule 1 of this Act.
Part 2
Amendments to other enactments 25
Subpart 1—Amendments to Extradition Act 1999
85 Amendments to Extradition Act 1999
(1) This subpart amends the Extradition Act 1999.
(2) After section 101B(1)(a), insert:
(aa) every offence against any of sections 55C, 55D, 55E, and 55F of the 30
Arms Act 1983:
(3) In section 101B(5), insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:
firearms protocol means the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and
Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplePart 1 cl 84 Arms Legislation Bill
102
menting the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised
Crime, done at New York on 31 May 2001
(4) In section 101B(5), definition of foreign country, paragraph (b), after “(as the
case may be)”, insert “the firearms protocol,”.
Subpart 2—Amendment to Intelligence and Security Act 2017 5
86 Amendment to Intelligence and Security Act 2017
(1) This subpart amends the Intelligence and Security Act 2017.
(2) In Schedule 2, after the item relating to information about people and locations
identified as posing a possible physical threat to GCSB or NZSIS employees,
insert: 10
NZSIS Information about people and
firearms collected in
connection with the
performance or exercise of a
function, duty, or power
under the Arms Act 1983, to
be used for the purpose of
assisting Police in
determining whether a person
is a fit and proper person to
possess firearms or airguns
New Zealand Police
Subpart 3—Amendment to Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act
1992
87 Amendment to Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992
(1) This subpart amends the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992.
(2) In Schedule 1, after item 32, insert: 15
33 Protocol against the
Illicit Manufacturing
of and Trafficking in
Firearms, their Parts
and Components and
Ammunition,
supplementing the
United Nations
Convention against
Transnational
Organised Crime,
done at New York on
31 May 2001
An offence against any of the following sections of the Arms
Act 1983:
section subject matter
55D Offences relating to illegal manufacturing of
firearms or parts
55E Offences relating to illegal trafficking of
firearms, parts, or ammunition
55F Offences relating to falsifying firearm
markings
Arms Legislation Bill Part 2 cl 87
103
55G Offences relating to removing or altering
firearm markings
Subpart 4—Consequential amendments
88 Consequential amendments to other enactments
Amend the enactments specified in Schedule 2 as set out in that schedule.
Part 2 cl 88 Arms Legislation Bill
104
Schedule 1
New Part 2 of Schedule 1 inserted
s 84
Part 2
Provisions relating to Arms Legislation Act 2019 5
8 Interpretation
In this Part,—
Act means the Arms Act 1983
amendment Act means the Arms Legislation Act 2019
amnesty period means the period— 10
(a) beginning on the enactment date; and
(b) ending on—
(i) the date that is 6 months after the first date on which regulations
made under clause 16E come into force; or
(ii) any later date prescribed by Order in Council 15
enactment date means the date on which the amendment Act receives the
Royal assent.
specified item means—
(a) a specified prohibited firearm:
(b) a pistol carbine conversion kit 20
specified prohibited firearm means—
(a) a semi-automatic firearm that has a lower receiver, if the lower receiver
is able to be attached to a centrefire upper receiver so that the resulting
firearm is able to function:
(b) a semi-automatic pistol that is not— 25
(i) a small semi-automatic pistol:
(ii) a semi-automatic pistol held by a person referred to in section
2A(3):
(c) a centrefire pump-action rifle that is capable of being used with a detachable magazine: 30
(d) a centrefire pump-action rifle that has 1 or more non-detachable magazines (tubular or otherwise) capable of holding more than 10 cartridges
commensurate with that firearm’s chamber size.
9 Duration of firearms licences issued or applied for before enactment date
(1) Nothing in the amendment Act affects the duration of— 35
Arms Legislation Bill Schedule 1
105
(a) a firearms licence that was issued on or before 22 July 2019; or
(b) a firearms licence issued after 22 July 2019 on an application that was
made on or before that date; or
(c) a firearms licence that was issued after 22 July 2019 on an application
that was made— 5
(i) at any time during the period beginning on 23 July 2019 and
ending on the day before the enactment date; and
(ii) by an applicant who is the holder of a firearms licence that expires
before the enactment date.
(2) In any other case, a firearms licence that was issued or applied for before the 10
enactment date will continue in force for a period of 5 years from the date on
which the licence comes into force.
(3) In subclauses (1) and (2), firearms licence includes a duplicate of a firearms licence that has been lost, destroyed, or mutilated, or become illegible.
9 Duration of firearms licences issued or applied for before enactment date 15
(1) If a firearms licence is issued on or after 10 February 2020 on an application
made on or after that date but before the enactment date, the licence is treated
as having effect only for 5 years in the case of an applicant who—
(a) has never previously held a firearms licence; or
(b) has had their previous licence revoked or has surrendered their previous 20
licence; or
(c) has allowed their previous licence to expire without applying for a new
licence before the expiry date.
(2) Nothing in the amendment Act affects the duration of any other firearms
licence applied for before the enactment date. 25
10 Disqualification from holding firearms licence
(1) This clause applies to a person who is the holder of a firearms licence immediately before the date of commencement of section 22G.
(2) The holder is not disqualified under section 22G from holding the firearms
licence even if the holder has, within the previous 10–-year period ending on 30
the date of commencement of section 22G,—
(a) been convicted of any of the offences specified in that section; or
(b) been released from custody after being convicted of any of those
offences.; or
(c) had a protection order made against them under— 35
(i) section 79 of the Family Violence Act 2018; or
(ii) section 14 of the Domestic Violence Act 1995.
Schedule 1 Arms Legislation Bill
106
11 Rights of holders of existing firearms licences
(1) This clause applies to every person who, immediately before the commencement of section 24A (as inserted by section 36 of the amendment Act),
holds a valid firearms licence.
(2) If, on or after the commencement of section 24A, any of the circumstances 5
set out in section 24A(1) arise in connection with the person, a member of
the Police may—
(a) take into account those circumstances and any other circumstances arising prior to the commencement of section 24A; and
(b) find that the person is no longer a fit and proper person to hold the 10
licence for the purposes of this Act; and
(c) deal with the person under this Act accordingly.
12 Rights of holders of existing dealer’s licence
(1) This clause applies to every person who, immediately before the commencement of section 6 (as inserted by section 10 of the amendment Act), holds a 15
valid dealer’s licence.
(2) If, on or after the commencement of section 6, any of the circumstances set
out in section 6 arise in connection with the person or the person’s senior
manager, a member of the Police may—
(a) take into account those circumstances and any other circumstances aris- 20
ing prior to the commencement of section 6; and
(b) find that the person is no longer a fit and proper person to hold the
licence for the purposes of this Act; and
(c) deal with the person under this Act accordingly.
13 Kea guns 25
(1) This clause applies to a person who—
(a) is the registered owner of a kea gun; and
(b) has a firearms licence that bears an endorsement made under section
29(1) (as it read immediately before its repeal by section 42(1) of the
amendment Act). 30
(2) The person must, within 6 months after the commencement of section 42(1)
of the amendment Act,—
(a) obtain an endorsement under section 30 permitting the person to have
possession of the kea gun in a capacity specified in section 29(2)(b), (c),
or (d); or 35
(b) surrender the kea gun to a member of the Police.
Arms Legislation Bill Schedule 1
107
14 Shooting clubs
(1) Subclause (2) applies to an incorporated pistol shooting club that, immediately before the date of commencement of Part 6, was recognised by the Commissioner for the purposes of section 29 (as in force immediately before the
commencement of section 42 of the amendment Act). 5
(2) On and after the commencement of Part 6, the incorporated pistol shooting
club is to be treated as if the club has been issued with a certificate of approval
under section 38F.
(3) In the case of any other shooting club that existed as a shooting club immediately before the commencement of Part 6, an application under section 38B 10
does not apply to that club until must be made within 12 months after the date
of commencement of Part 6.
(4) If an application for certification of the club is made within that 12-month
period, the club is to be treated, as from the time the Commissioner receives
the application until the application has been decided, as if the club has been 15
issued with a certificate of approval under section 38F.
15 Shooting ranges
(1) Subclause (2) applies to a pistol shooting range that at the date of commencement of Part 6 was approved by the Commissioner in accordance with regulation 22 of the Arms Regulations 1992. 20
(2) The pistol shooting range is to be treated as if the range has been issued with a
certificate under section 38O during the period that—
(a) commences on the date of commencement of Part 6; and
(b) ends on whichever of the following dates first occurs:
(i) the date of cancellation of the Commissioner’s approval of the 25
shooting range given before the commencement of Part 6:
(ii) the date that is 5 years after the date of commencement of Part 6.
(3) In the case of any other shooting range that existed as a shooting range immediately before the commencement of Part 6, an application under section
38K does not apply to that shooting range until must be made within 12 30
months after the commencement of Part 6.
(4) If an application for certification of the range is made within that 12-month
period, the range is to be treated, as from the time the Commissioner receives
the application until the application has been decided, as if the range has been
issued with a certificate under section 38O. 35
16 Obligations relating to registry
(1) This clause applies if a person is a licence or permit holder under this Act
immediately before the date of commencement of section 94 or is a prescribed person for the purposes of this clause.
Schedule 1 Arms Legislation Bill
108
(2) In subclause (1), prescribed person means any person who belongs to a
class of persons declared by regulations made under clause 17 to be prescribed persons for the purposes of subclause (1).
(3) The person must provide the Police with the relevant information within the
time and in accordance with any other requirements prescribed by regulations 5
made under section 74 or clause 17 (as the case may be) if the person—
(a) is applying for a licence or an endorsement; or
(b) is notifying a change in circumstances (such as a change of address); or
(c) has responsibility in relation to an event referred to in section 94(2); or
(d) is subject to compliance or enforcement action by the Police under this 10
Act.
(4) If none of the circumstances in subclause (3) apply to the person within 5
years after the registry starts operating, the person must, from the close of that
5-year period, provide the Police with the relevant information in accordance
with regulations made under section 74. 15
(5) If none of the circumstances in subclause (3) apply to a licence holder within
5 years after the registry starts operating and the holder no longer possesses a
firearm, part, magazine, or ammunition at the end of that 5-year period, the
holder must notify the Police of that fact as soon as practicable after that period
ends. 20
16A Permits to import issued for purposes of section 16(1) of Act before
enactment date revoked
(1) A permit issued for the purposes of section 16(1) of this Act (as in force immediately before the enactment date) is revoked to the extent that it authorises the
importation of a firearm that,— 25
(a) after the enactment date, is a specified prohibited firearm; and
(b) before the enactment date, has not been brought or sent into New Zealand.
(2) This clause does not apply to permits issued for the purposes of enabling persons referred to in section 3(2) of this Act to carry out their duties. 30
16B Specified prohibited firearms subject to the control of Customs at
enactment date
(1) This clause applies to a specified prohibited firearm that is subject to the control of the New Zealand Customs Service at the enactment date.
(2) The specified prohibited firearm is to be treated as specified prohibited goods 35
under section 98 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018 and the chief executive
of the New Zealand Customs Service may, under section 85(1)(b) of that Act,
authorise the delivery of the specified prohibited firearm to the Police.
Arms Legislation Bill Schedule 1
109
(3) At the time of that delivery, the specified prohibited firearm ceases to be subject to the control of Customs.
(4) In this clause, subject to the control of Customs has the same meaning as in
section 6 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018.
16C Temporary amnesty for persons possessing specified items before 5
enactment date
(1) This clause applies to a person who, before the enactment date, possesses a
specified item.
(2) The person does not commit an offence under section 50A or 50AA of this Act
for the continued possession of the specified item. 10
(3) Subclause (2)—
(a) ceases to have effect at the end of the amnesty period; and
(b) is subject to any other conditions (if any) set by regulations.
(4) See also the provisions governing surrender and voluntary delivery of prohibited items in sections 59A and 59B of this Act. 15
16D Compensation for specified items delivered to Police
(1) This clause applies in respect of a specified item that, on or after the enactment
date, is delivered or otherwise surrendered to a member of the Police.
(2) The specified item becomes the property of the Crown, free and discharged
from all right, title, or interest possessed by any person in respect of that item. 20
(3) Compensation may be paid in respect of the specified item in accordance with
any regulations made under clause 16E.
(4) However, nothing in this Act or the amendment Act otherwise confers any
right to compensation, or is to be relied on in any proceedings as a basis for a
claim to compensation, except and to the extent authorised by regulations made 25
under clause 16E.
16E Regulations establishing compensation for delivery of specified items to
Police
(1) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation
of the Minister of Police, make regulations establishing 1 or more schemes for 30
the purpose of paying compensation in respect of a specified item that, during
the amnesty period or any other specified period or periods, is delivered or
otherwise surrendered to a member of the Police or meets any other prescribed
requirements.
(2) Regulations made under subclause (1) may— 35
(a) apply to 1 or more classes of licence holders or other persons who,
before enactment date, lawfully possessed the specified item:
(b) apply to 1 or more classes of specified items:
Schedule 1 Arms Legislation Bill
110
(c) confer the right to compensation only if specified criteria or conditions
are met:
(d) limit the right to compensation in specified circumstances (for example,
the maximum number of pistol carbine conversion kits for which compensation may be paid to a person): 5
(e) provide for the Commissioner to determine the amount of compensation
to be paid for a specified item or a class of specified items (whether that
item or class of items is of a specified type, make, model, description, or
condition, or a combination of them), including—
(i) by issuing a schedule of those amounts: 10
(ii) by determining the method by which the amount of compensation
to be paid for a specified item is calculated, which may include—
(A) the maximum amount of compensation payable in respect
of an item:
(B) the minimum amount of compensation payable in respect of 15
an item:
(C) the proportion of a specified amount of compensation payable in respect of an item:
(f) impose conditions on any payment of compensation:
(g) specify the criteria that the Commissioner may apply when determining 20
or assessing the compensation payable in respect of a specified item:
(h) confer and make any provisions with respect to rights of review or
appeal against any compensation determined or assessed in respect of a
specified item.
(3) Regulations made under subclause (1) may make different provision with 25
respect to different persons, specified items, or circumstances or different
classes of persons, specified items, or circumstances.
(4) To avoid doubt, regulations made under subclause (1) need not include compensation for—
(a) any economic loss; or 30
(b) any consequential loss; or
(c) any loss for business interruption; or
(d) any loss attributable to intrinsic or sentimental value.
17 Regulations providing for transitional matters
(1) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make regulations— 35
(a) providing that, subject to any conditions stated in the regulations, transitional or savings provisions prescribed by the regulations that relate to
the implementation of the amendment Act (in addition to, or in substituArms Legislation Bill Schedule 1
111
tion for, any other transitional provisions in the amendment Act) apply
during the whole or any part of a specified transitional period:
(b) providing that, subject to any conditions that are specified in the regulations, during a specified transitional period,—
(i) specified provisions of this Act (including definitions) do not 5
apply, or are to continue to apply, or apply with modifications or
additions, or both:
(ii) specified terms have the meanings given to them by the regulations:
(iii) specified provisions repealed, amended, or revoked by the 10
Amendment Act are to continue to apply:
(c) providing for any other matters necessary for facilitating or ensuring an
orderly transition from the legislative regime that applies under this Act
before the amendment Act comes fully into force to the legislative
regime that applies when the amendment Act comes fully into force. 15
(2) No regulations made under this clause may be made, or continue in force, later
than 5 years after the commencement of this clause.
Schedule 1 Arms Legislation Bill
112
Schedule 2
Consequential amendments to other enactments
s 88
Part 1
Amendments to other Acts 5
Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Act 1995 (1995 No 55)
In Schedule 1, Part 3, insert the following items relating to the Arms Act 1983 in their
appropriate numerical order:
Offence to import firearms, etc, without permit section 16(4)
Offence to import prohibited ammunition section 16A
Offence to assemble prohibited firearm section 55A
Offences relating to illegal manufacturing of arms
items
section 55D
Offences relating to illegal trafficking of firearms,
parts, or ammunition
section 55E
Offences relating to falsifying firearms markings section 55F
Search and Surveillance Act 2012 (2012 No 24)
Replace section 45(1)(b) with: 10
(b) against section 16(4), 16A, 44, 44A, 45, 50, 50A, 50B, 50D, 51,
53A(2), 54, 55, or 55A of the Arms Act 1983; or
Replace section 45(2)(b) with:
(b) against section 16(4), 16A, 44, 44A, 45, 50, 50A, 50B, 50D, 51,
53A(2), 54, 55, or 55A of the Arms Act 1983; or 15
Part 2
Amendments to legislative instruments
Arms Regulations 1992 (SR 1992/346)
In regulation 3(1A)(b), replace “Arms Office” with “Police Station”.
In regulation 6(1A)(b), replace “Arms Office” with “Police Station”. 20
In regulation 7(7A)(b), replace “5-year period specified in subclause (10)” with “10-
year period specified in section 12(1B) of the Act”.
Revoke regulation 7(9) and (10).
In regulation 10(2)(b), replace “Arms Office” with “Police Station”.
In regulation 12(1), replace “pistol” with “firearm, pistol” in each place. 25
After regulation 12(1A), insert:
Arms Legislation Bill Schedule 2
113
Arms Regulations 1992 (SR 1992/346)—continued
(1B) Every person who manufactures or assembles a firearm, pistol, prohibited firearm, restricted airgun, or restricted weapon (other than a pistol, prohibited firearm, restricted airgun, or restricted weapon that is an antique firearm) must
stamp or engrave an identification number identifying markings on it at the
time of manufacture (if it does not already bear one). 5
In regulation 13(1A)(a), replace “Arms Office” with “Police Station”.
In regulation 16(2)(b)(i) and (ii), replace “Arms Office” with “Police Station”.
In regulation 22(1)(a), replace “approved by the Commissioner for the purpose” with
“that has been certified under section 38O”.
Replace the heading to regulation 28E with “Definitions for regulation 28G”. 10
In regulation 28E, replace “regulations 28F and 28G” with “regulation 28G”.
In regulation 28E, revoke the definitions of existing manufacturing business, existing supply business, and permitted supply.
Revoke regulation 28F.
In regulation 29A(a), replace “Arms Office” with “Police Station”. 15
Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 (LI
2017/131)
In Part 9, regulation 9.2, definition of firearms dealer’s licence, replace “section 5”
with “section 5B”.
Legislative history
13 September 2019 Introduction (Bill 177–1)
24 September 2019 First reading and referral to Finance and Expenditure Committee
Wellington, New Zealand:
Published under the authority of the House of Representatives—2020
Schedule 2 Arms Legislation Bill
114