Arms Act 1983

Offences - Offences

52: Presenting firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon at other person

You could also call this:

"Pointing a gun at someone is against the law"

Illustration for Arms Act 1983

You commit an offence if you point a firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon at someone without a good reason. You can get up to 6 months in prison or a fine of up to $10,000 if you are found guilty. This applies even if the weapon is not loaded. You also commit an offence if you show someone something that looks like a firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon, and they think it is real. Again, you can get up to 6 months in prison or a fine of up to $10,000 if you are found guilty. This rule is in place to keep people safe.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM73300.

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51A: Presenting prohibited firearm at other person, or

"Pointing a banned gun at someone is a serious crime"


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53: Careless use of firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon, or

"Using a firearm carelessly and putting others at risk is against the law"

Part 8Offences
Offences

52Presenting firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon at other person

  1. Every person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, who, except for some lawful and sufficient purpose, presents a firearm (other than a prohibited firearm), airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon (whether or not the firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon is loaded or capable at the time of the offence of discharging any shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile) at any other person.

  2. Every person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, who, except for some lawful or sufficient purpose, presents at any person anything which, in the circumstances, is likely to lead that person to believe that it is a firearm (other than a prohibited firearm), airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon.

Notes
  • Section 52(1): amended, on , by section 79 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).
  • Section 52(1): amended, on , by section 55(1) of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).
  • Section 52(1): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
  • Section 52(2): amended, on , by section 79 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).
  • Section 52(2): amended, on , by section 55(2) of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).
  • Section 52(2): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).