Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against the person - Assaults and injuries to the person

198: Discharging firearm or doing dangerous act with intent

You could also call this:

"Hurting someone on purpose with a gun or dangerous act is against the law."

Illustration for Crimes Act 1961

If you intentionally try to seriously hurt someone by shooting a firearm, airgun, or similar weapon at them, you could go to prison for up to 14 years. You could also face this punishment if you try to hurt someone by sending them explosive or harmful substances, or by setting fire to property. This is against the law in New Zealand.

If you try to hurt someone, or if you don't care about the safety of others and do something that could harm them, you could go to prison for up to 7 years. This applies to the same actions, such as shooting a firearm, sending harmful substances, or setting fires. You would be held responsible for your actions.

The law is clear about what happens if you break it, and you can find more information about the Sentencing Act 2002 which changed some of these rules.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM329389.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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197: Disabling, or

"Making someone unable to act by knocking them out or making them sleepy on purpose is against the law."

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198A: Using any firearm against law enforcement officer, etc, or

"You can get in big trouble for using a gun against a police officer or to avoid being arrested."

Part 8Crimes against the person
Assaults and injuries to the person

198Discharging firearm or doing dangerous act with intent

  1. Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years who, with intent to do grievous bodily harm,—

  2. discharges any firearm, airgun, or other similar weapon at any person; or
    1. sends or delivers to any person, or puts in any place, any explosive or injurious substance or device; or
      1. sets fire to any property.

        1. Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who, with intent to injure, or with reckless disregard for the safety of others, does any of the acts referred to in subsection (1).

        2. Repealed
        Compare
        • 1908 No 32 ss 197(b), (c), (d), 198
        • 1941 No 10 Schedule
        Notes
        • Section 198(3): repealed, on , by section 164(b) of the Sentencing Act 2002 (2002 No 9).