Arms Act 1983

Firearms licences, endorsements, and permits to possess - Permits to possess pistols, restricted weapons, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines, and pistol carbine conversion kits

37: Surrender of restricted weapon

You could also call this:

"What to do if you have a restricted weapon without permission"

You cannot have a restricted weapon without permission. If a weapon becomes restricted, you must get rid of it within a month. You can destroy it, give it to an approved person, export it, or give it to the Police. You might get money for your weapon if you give it to the Police. The Minister of Finance will pay you from a Crown Bank Account. You only get money if you got the weapon legally. You must follow the rules when getting rid of a restricted weapon. This is to ensure you do not break the law.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM72965.

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

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safetyMoney and consumer rights > Compensation

36: Offence to carry pistol, prohibited firearm, prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon without authority, or

"Carrying banned guns without a special licence is against the law"

38: Removal of pistol, prohibited firearm, prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon out of New Zealand, or

"Taking certain guns out of New Zealand: what you must do"

Part 5Firearms licences, endorsements, and permits to possess
Permits to possess pistols, restricted weapons, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines, and pistol carbine conversion kits

37Surrender of restricted weapon

Subject to subsection (2) or an endorsement made under section 30, no person shall at any time be in possession of a restricted weapon, or of any part or parts intended or adapted for use as part of a restricted weapon.
Before the expiry of 1 month after the publication under the Legislation Act 2019 of an Order in Council declaring any weapon to be a restricted weapon, every person in possession of any such weapon or any part or parts intended or adapted for use as part of such a weapon shall cause the weapon, or the parts,—
to be destroyed; or
to be disposed of to a person approved by the Commissioner; or
to be exported from New Zealand; or
to be delivered to a member of the Police.

The Minister of Finance shall, subject to subsection (4), pay compensation out of a Crown Bank Account for the value of all weapons in a serviceable condition, and for all parts, delivered to a member of the Police in accordance with subsection (2)(d).
Compensation shall not be paid under subsection (3) unless the Minister is satisfied—
that the person claiming compensation has acquired the weapon or parts lawfully; and
if he has brought the weapon or parts into New Zealand, that he has done so lawfully.

Notes

Section 37(2): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 37(3): amended, on 25 January 2005, pursuant to section 65R(3) of the Public Finance Act 1989 (1989 No 44).