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Arms Act 1983
1: Short Title and commencement

Part 1:
Preliminary provisions

1APurposes of this Act 2Interpretation 2AMeaning of prohibited firearm 2BMeaning of prohibited magazine 2CMeaning of prohibited part 2DMeaning of prohibited ammunition 3Act to bind the Crown 3ATransitional, savings, and related provisions 4Power to declare weapons to be restricted weapons or specially dangerous airguns 4APersons who may apply to import, manufacture, sell, supply, possess, or use prohibited items

Part 2:
Licensed dealers

Licensed dealers

Part 3:
Permits to import

Importation of firearms and ammunition

16Offence to import firearms, etc, without permit 16AOffence to import prohibited ammunition 17Burden of proof 18Issue of permit to import firearms, etc 18AAIssue of permit to import pistol carbine conversion kits 18AABIssue of permit to import air pistol carbine conversion kits 18AACRevocation and validity of permit to import 18AADPermit to import issued for items to be brought or sent into New Zealand in single consignment or multiple consignments 18AExpiry of permits to import 18BProduction of samples 18CExport of specified items not corresponding with sample or otherwise approved for importation 19Seizure of illegally imported items

Part 4:
General restrictions

General restrictions on possession of firearms, airguns, magazines, parts, and ammunition

19ARestriction on possession of prohibited firearms and prohibited magazines 19BRestriction on possession of prohibited parts 19CRestriction on possession of pistols and restricted weapons

Part 5:
Firearms licences, endorsements, and permits to possess

Firearms licences

23Application for firearms licence 24Issue of firearms licence 24AFit and proper person to possess firearm or airgun 24BGeneral conditions of firearms licence 24CSpecial condition of firearms licence relating to sale or supply of ammunition 24DBreach of conditions to which firearms licence is subject 25Duration of firearms licence 25AApplication for new firearms licence made by holder of current licence 26Production of firearms licence 27Surrender and revocation of firearms licence 27AFamily violence and firearms licences 27BRevocation and surrender of licence if holder becomes disqualified 27CRevocation of suspended firearms licence 28Effect of revocation or surrender of firearms licence

Endorsements

29Application for endorsements in respect of pistol or restricted weapon 30Power to make endorsement in respect of pistols or restricted weapons 30AApplication for endorsement in respect of prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine 30BPower to make endorsement in respect of prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine 31Possession of firearm, pistol, prohibited item, or restricted weapon for stage, film, or television purposes 31AConditions of endorsements 32Further conditions of endorsements in respect of pistols and restricted weapons 33Revocation of endorsements 33AFurther conditions of endorsement in respect of prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine 33BRevocation of endorsement in respect of prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine 33CDuration of endorsements 34Notification of change of address

Photographs

34APower to require or take photographs of applicants 34BEffect of non-compliance with requirements in relation to photographs or to calling-in of licences

Permits to possess pistols, restricted weapons, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines, and pistol carbine conversion kits

35Issue of permit to possess pistol or restricted weapon 35AAAIssue of permit to possess pistol carbine conversion kit 35AIssue of permit to possess prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine 36Offence to carry pistol, prohibited firearm, prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon without authority 37Surrender of restricted weapon 38Removal of pistol, prohibited firearm, prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon out of New Zealand

Part 6:
Shooting clubs and shooting ranges

38AInterpretation

Pistol shooting clubs

38BPistol shooting club must have certificate of approval 38CPistol shooting club must be incorporated society 38DApplication for certificate of approval in respect of pistol shooting club 38ECommissioner may make inquiries and request further information 38FDecision on application for certificate of approval 38GIssue of certificate of approval 38HDuration of certificate of approval 38ICancellation of certificate of approval 38JAnnual reports

Non-pistol shooting clubs

38KNon-pistol shooting club must be enrolled

Shooting ranges

38LNon-pistol shooting club must be incorporated society in certain circumstances 38MApplication for enrolment in respect of non-pistol shooting club 38NCommissioner may make inquiries and request further information 38OConfirmation of enrolment 38PCommissioner to keep roll of non-pistol shooting clubs 38QCancellation of enrolment

Pistol shooting ranges

38RPistol shooting ranges must be certified 38SApplication for certification of pistol shooting range 38TCommissioner may make inquiries and request further information

Compliance

38UDecision on application to have pistol shooting range certified 38VGrant of certification 38WCertification granted subject to condition 38XDuration of certification 38XACancellation of certification 38XBRenewal of certification

Non-pistol shooting ranges

38XCNon-pistol shooting ranges that are not temporary non-pistol shooting ranges must be enrolled 38XDTemporary non-pistol shooting ranges must be notified to Commissioner 38XEApplication for enrolment of non-pistol shooting range 38XFCommissioner may make inquiries and request further information 38XGDecision on application to have non-pistol shooting range enrolled 38XHConfirmation of enrolment 38XICommissioner to keep roll of non-pistol shooting ranges 38XJCancellation of enrolment

Compliance

38XKInspections of shooting clubs and shooting ranges 38XLImprovement notices 38XMTemporary suspension of pistol shooting club’s operations for non-compliance with improvement notice 38XNTemporary suspension of shooting range’s operations for non-compliance with improvement notice

Miscellaneous obligations

39Loss, theft, or destruction 40Person in possession of firearm, etc, must give identifying information to Police 41Powers of Police to require surrender of airguns or antique firearms

Part 7:
Direct access by certain government agencies to registry

38YInterpretation 38ZRelationship between this Part and other law 38ZADirect access to licence information 38ZBDirect access to import and export information recorded in registry 38ZCDirect access must be in accordance with direct access agreement 38ZDMatters to which Ministers must have regard before entering into direct access agreement 38ZEConsultation before entering into direct access agreement 38ZFContent of direct access agreements 38ZGVariation of direct access agreement 38ZHPublication of direct access agreements

Part 7A:
Firearms prohibition orders

39Interpretation 39AWhen FPO may be made 39BEffect of FPO 39CStandard conditions of FPO 39DVarying or modifying standard conditions of FPO 39ESpecial conditions of FPO 39FCommencement and duration of FPO 39FAVarying, modifying, or revoking FPOs 39GVarying, modifying, or replacing FPO on subsequent conviction 39HAppeal against decision to make or not make FPO is appeal against sentence

Part 8:
Offences

Offences

42Offences in respect of licences 42AOffence to breach firearms prohibition order 42BOffence to supply firearms, etc, to person subject to firearms prohibition order 43Selling or supplying firearm or airgun to unlicensed person 43AASelling or supplying prohibited ammunition 43AMail order or Internet sale of arms items or ammunition 43BRestriction on sales of ammunition 44Selling or supplying pistol or restricted weapon to person who does not hold permit to import or permit to possess 44AAUnlawful sale or supply of pistol carbine conversion kit 44AOffence to sell or supply prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine 44BOffence to sell or supply prohibited part 45Carrying or possessing firearms, etc, except for lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose 46Carrying of imitation firearm, except for lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose 47Being in charge of firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon while under the influence of drink or drug 48Discharging firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon in or near dwellinghouse or public place 49Using, discharging, or carrying certain firearms except for some lawful, proper, or sufficient purpose 49AUnlawful possession of firearm, prohibited magazine, prohibited part, or airgun after revocation of firearms licence 50Unlawful possession of pistol or restricted weapon 50AAUnlawful possession of pistol carbine conversion kit 50AUnlawful possession of prohibited firearm 50BUnlawful possession of prohibited magazine 50CUnlawful possession of prohibited part 50CAUnlawful possession of prohibited ammunition 50DUnlawfully carrying or possessing prohibited firearm in public place 51Unlawful carriage or possession in public place of firearm, airgun, pistol, ammunition, explosive, or restricted weapon 51APresenting prohibited firearm at other person 52Presenting firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon at other person 53Careless use of firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon 53AUse or attempted use of prohibited firearm to resist or prevent arrest or commit offence 54Use or attempted use of airgun, etc, to resist or prevent arrest or commit offence 54ACarrying prohibited firearm with criminal intent 55Carrying firearm, etc, with criminal intent 55AOffence to assemble prohibited firearm 55BOffence of failing to produce prohibited firearm, etc, on demand or to permit inspection of prohibited firearm, etc 55COffence of failing to produce firearm other than pistol, restricted weapon, or prohibited firearm on demand or to permit inspection of firearm 55DOffences relating to illegal manufacturing of certain arms items 55EOffences relating to illegal trafficking of firearms, parts, or ammunition 55FOffences relating to falsifying firearm markings 55GOffences relating to removing or altering firearm markings 55HExtraterritorial jurisdiction for offences against section 55D, 55E, 55F, or 55G 55IAttorney-General’s consent required 56Obstruction of member of Police 57Offences committed by corporations 58Reporting of injuries caused by firearms, airguns, pistols, or restricted weapons 58AOffences relating to registry 59Unsafe firearms or pistols

Part 9:
Miscellaneous provisions

Marking of firearms

59AAAMarking of firearms

Surrender or delivery of firearms, etc

59ASurrender by licensed dealer of firearms, etc 59BVoluntary delivery to Police of firearms, etc 60Improvement notices 60ATemporary suspension of licence pending possible revocation 60BEffect of temporary suspension of firearms licence 60CEffect of temporary suspension of dealer’s licence

Search and seizure of firearms

60Search of suspected persons and seizure of firearms, airguns, pistols, imitation firearms, restricted weapons, ammunition, or explosives 60ASearch of suspected persons and seizure of firearms in cases of domestic violence 61Search of land or buildings for firearms, airguns, pistols, imitation firearms, restricted weapons, ammunition, or explosives

Appeals

62Right of review of official decisions 62AHow review to be conducted 62BRight of appeal to District Court 62CFurther provisions relating to appeals 63Appeal to District Court Judge in respect of compensation 64Appeal on a question of law

Restoration of articles seized

65Restoration of articles seized

Foreign personal protection officers

65AInterpretation 65BPower to authorise foreign personal protection officer to carry and have possession of firearms, etc 65CPower to permit temporary importation of firearms, etc, by foreign personal protection officer 65DGrounds for issue of written authority or written permit 65EConditions of written authority or written permit 65FInspections 65GPower to revoke 65HExpiry of sections 65A to 65G

Other miscellaneous provisions

65IDuration of licences extended because of COVID-19 outbreak 66Occupier of premises or driver of vehicle deemed to be in possession of firearm, airgun, pistol, imitation firearm, restricted weapon, prohibited magazine, or explosive found therein 66ALoss, theft, or destruction of firearm, etc 66BPerson in possession of firearm, etc, must give identifying information to Police 66CPowers of Police to require surrender of airguns or antique firearms 66DObligations of owner or operator of craft temporarily visiting New Zealand and carrying firearms, etc 67Liability of principal for acts of agent, etc 68Time for prosecutions not limited 69Forfeitures 70Authorising disposal of firearms, etc, detained by Police 71Protection of persons acting under authority of this Act 72Delegation of powers by Commissioner 72AService of documents 73Savings in respect of carriers and persons authorised to exercise powers of seizure 74Regulations 74AOrder in Council relating to definitions of prohibited firearm and prohibited magazine, and declaring prohibited ammunition 74BOrders under section 74A are confirmable instruments 74CRegulations providing for transitional matters relating to Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 74DRegulations providing for transitional matters relating to Arms Legislation Act 2020 75Consequential amendment to Summary Proceedings Act 1957 76Consequential amendments to Trespass Act 1980 77Repeals 78Transitional provisions

Cost recovery

79Purpose of sections 80 to 86 80Activities that may be subject to cost recovery 81Criteria for cost recovery 82Consultation 83Methods of cost recovery 84Payment of fee or charge 85Exemptions, waivers, and refunds 86Regulations relating to cost recovery

Guidance notices

87Guidance notices

Arms Advisory Group

88Arms Advisory Group 89Operations of advisory group 90Provisions relating to appointment of members of advisory group 91Removal of members of advisory group

Medical assessments

92Health practitioners may give Police medical reports of persons unfit to use firearm

Registration of firearms and dealings

93Commissioner to keep registry 94Content of registry 95Obligation to provide information to registry

Review of operation of this Act

96Review of this Act

Schedule 1:
Transitional, savings, and related provisions

Summary of changes

Arms Act 1983

1: Short Title and commencement

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM72626.

This page was last updated on 27 January 2026 — View changes

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safety

Arms Act 1983 , or

"Keeping You and Others Safe with Firearms and Weapons"

1A: Purposes of this Act, or

"This law aims to keep people safe by controlling guns and other weapons."

1Short Title and commencement

This Act may be cited as the Arms Act 1983.
This Act shall come into force on 1 June 1984.