Update on changes to the Arms Act 1983

The New Zealand Police is the lead agency for firearm policy and makes the decisions on what does and does not require a permit to import.

There is no change to the law regarding:

• Single shot firearms (e.g. bolt or lever action)
• Semi-automatic rifles .22 calibre and under, provided the magazine holds 10 rounds or less
• Pistols
• Pistol magazines
• Restricted weapons
• Airguns

Parts

There is a new definition for ‘part’. Any component that is exclusively designed to be, or is intended to be, an integral part of the firearm or restricted weapon (for example, a butt, stock, magazine, or other component that feeds or contributes to feeding ammunition to the firearm or restricted weapon).

Items such as telescopic sights, slings or bipods do not require a permit to import. However, some generic items that could be used with firearms or for other purposes, such as screws and springs may require a permit to import.

Prohibited items

The following types of firearms, parts and magazines are prohibited items:

• Semi-automatic rifles over .22 calibre, that can take a detachable magazine
• Semi-automatic rifles .22 calibre and under, with a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds
• Semi-automatic or pump-action shotguns that can take a detachable magazine
• Semi-automatic or pump-action shotguns with a tubular magazine that holds more than 5 rounds
• Any part of any of the above firearms
• Any shotgun magazine that can hold more than 5 rounds
• Any rifle or shotgun magazine that can hold more than 10 rounds (whether detachable or not)
• Any part that can be added to a firearm to make it fire with (or near to) semi-automatic or automatic action

These prohibited items can only be imported by a limited number of people who are exempt from the prohibition. Those people will require a permit to import these items.

Ammunition

The Arms (Prohibited Ammunition) Order 2019 prohibits some types of ammunition:

• Tracer ammunition
• Enhanced-penetration ammunition
• Armour-piercing ammunition
• Incendiary ammunition (excluding flares for flare guns)
• Explosive ammunition
• Multi-purpose ammunition
• Discarding-sabot ammunition (excluding shotgun cartridges)
• Multi-projectile ammunition (excluding shotgun ammunition)
• Chemical or biological carrier ammunition (excluding projectiles for any device designed and intended solely for any medical, surgical, veterinary, scientific, agricultural, industrial, or other similar lawful purpose)
• Flechettes (excluding projectiles designed and intended solely for any bolt gun, stud gun, humane killer, deer net gun, nail gun, or a pistol that is part of rocket-throwing or line-throwing equipment).

These types of ammunition are prohibited and cannot be imported. There is no ability to obtain a permit to import these items.

More information

For more information on whether an item requires a permit, and the permit process, please visit the Police website or contact the Police by email.

Dated: 11 September 2019