Arms Act 1983

General restrictions - General restrictions on possession of firearms and airguns

20: Restriction on possession of non-prohibited firearms

You could also call this:

"Rules for having some types of guns if you are 16 or older"

You cannot have a non-prohibited firearm unless you are 16 or older and have a firearms licence. You must follow the rules in the Act or regulations made under the Act. Having a firearms licence does not mean you can have a pistol or restricted weapon. You will commit an offence if you break the rules without a good reason. You could go to prison for up to one year or get a fine of up to $15,000. The rules are part of the Arms Act 1983, which has been updated by the Arms Legislation Act 2020, available at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS256658, and other laws.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM72916.

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

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safety

19C: Restriction on possession of pistols and restricted weapons, or

"Rules for having pistols and restricted weapons in New Zealand"

21: Restrictions on possession of airguns, or

"Rules for owning airguns in New Zealand"

Part 4General restrictions
General restrictions on possession of firearms and airguns

20Restriction on possession of non-prohibited firearms

Except as provided in this Act or as otherwise provided in regulations made under this Act, no person shall have a non-prohibited firearm in his possession unless he is of or over the age of 16 years and is the holder of a firearms licence.
The holding of a firearms licence shall not in itself entitle any person to have a pistol or restricted weapon in that person's possession.
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).

Notes

Section 20 heading: replaced, on 25 June 2020, by section 35(1) of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).
Section 20(1): amended, on 25 June 2020, by section 35(2) of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).
Section 20(2): substituted, on 1 May 1993, by section 7 of the Arms Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 95).
Section 20(2): amended, on 25 June 2020, by section 35(3) of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).
Section 20(2): amended, on 12 April 2019, by section 25 of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).
Section 20(3): replaced, on 25 June 2020, by section 35(4) of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).