Arms Act 1983

Review of operation of this Act

Schedule 1: Transitional, savings, and related provisions

You could also call this:

"Rules for Changing to New Gun Laws"

Illustration for Arms Act 1983

The Arms Act 1983 has some special rules. These rules are about guns and other firearms. You need to know what these rules mean. Some guns are not allowed in New Zealand. If you have one of these guns, you might be able to give it to the Police and get some money back. There are also rules about special places where people can shoot guns, like shooting clubs and ranges. These places need to follow the rules too. The Police can check these places to make sure they are following the rules. If you want to have a gun, you need to apply for a special licence. The Police will check if you are a suitable person to have a gun. You can also get endorsements on your licence for certain types of guns. These endorsements have conditions that you need to follow. The rules are in place to help keep people safe.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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=DLM73377.

This page was last updated on View changes


Previous

96: Review of this Act, or

"Checking how well the Arms Act 1983 is working"


1Transitional, savings, and related provisions Empowered by s 3A

1Provisions relating to Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019

1Interpretation

  1. In this Part,—

    Act means the Arms Act 1983

      amendment Act means the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019

        amnesty period means the period—

        1. beginning at 3 pm on 21 March 2019; and
          1. ending on—
            1. the date that is 6 months after the first date on which regulations made under clause 7 come into force; or
              1. any later date prescribed by Order in Council

              commencement means the date on which the amendment Act comes into force.

              1. An order under paragraph (b)(ii) of the definition of amnesty period in subclause (1) is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

              Notes
              • Schedule 1 clause 1: inserted, on , by section 72 of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).
              • Schedule 1 clause 1(2): inserted, on , by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

              2Permits to import issued for purposes of section 16(1) of Act before commencement are revoked

              1. A permit issued for the purposes of section 16(1) of this Act (as in force immediately before commencement) is revoked to the extent that it authorises the importation of a firearm, magazine, or part that,—

              2. after commencement, is a prohibited item; and
                1. before commencement, has not been brought or sent into New Zealand.
                  1. This clause does not apply to permits issued for the purposes of enabling persons referred to in section 3(2) of this Act to carry out their duties.

                  Notes
                  • Schedule 1 clause 2: inserted, on , by section 72 of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).

                  3Prohibited items subject to the control of Customs at commencement

                  1. This clause applies to a prohibited item that is subject to the control of the New Zealand Customs Service at commencement.

                  2. The prohibited item is to be treated as a prohibited good under section 98 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018 and the chief executive of the New Zealand Customs Service may, under section 85(1)(b) of that Act, authorise the delivery of the prohibited item to the Police.

                  3. At the time of that delivery, the prohibited item ceases to be subject to the control of Customs.

                  4. In this clause, subject to the control of Customs has the same meaning as in section 6 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018.

                  Notes
                  • Schedule 1 clause 3: inserted, on , by section 72 of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).

                  4Endorsements issued under section 30B of Act before commencement are revoked

                  1. An endorsement issued under section 30B of this Act (as in force immediately before commencement) is revoked.

                  2. However, subclause (1) does not limit clause 5.

                  Notes
                  • Schedule 1 clause 4: inserted, on , by section 72 of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).

                  5Temporary amnesty for persons possessing prohibited items before commencement

                  1. This clause applies to a person who, before commencement, possesses a prohibited item.

                  2. The person does not commit an offence under section 50A, 50B, or 50C of this Act for the continued possession of the prohibited item.

                  3. Subclause (2)—

                  4. ceases to have effect at the end of the amnesty period; and
                    1. is subject to any other conditions (if any) set by regulations.
                      1. See also the provisions governing surrender and voluntary delivery of prohibited items in sections 59A and 59B of this Act.

                      Notes
                      • Schedule 1 clause 5: inserted, on , by section 72 of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).

                      6Compensation for prohibited items delivered to Police

                      1. This clause applies in respect of a prohibited item that, after 3 pm on 21 March 2019, is delivered or otherwise surrendered to a member of the Police.

                      2. The prohibited item becomes the property of the Crown, free and discharged from all right, title, or interest possessed by any person in respect of that item.

                      3. Compensation may be paid in respect of the prohibited item in accordance with any regulations made under clause 7.

                      4. However, nothing in this Act or the amendment Act otherwise confers any right to compensation, or is to be relied on in any proceedings as a basis for a claim to compensation, except and to the extent authorised by regulations made under clause 7.

                      Notes
                      • Schedule 1 clause 6: inserted, on , by section 72 of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).

                      7Regulations establishing compensation for delivery of prohibited items to Police

                      1. The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister of Police, make regulations establishing 1 or more schemes for the purpose of paying compensation in respect of prohibited items that, during the amnesty period or any other specified period or periods, are delivered or otherwise surrendered to a member of the Police.

                      2. Regulations made under subclause (1) may—

                      3. apply to 1 or more classes of licence holders or other persons who, before commencement, lawfully possessed prohibited items:
                        1. apply to 1 or more classes of prohibited items:
                          1. confer the right to compensation only if specified criteria or conditions are met:
                            1. limit the right to compensation in specified circumstances (for example, the maximum number of prohibited magazines for which compensation may be paid to a person):
                              1. provide for the Commissioner to determine the amount of compensation to be paid for a prohibited item or a class of prohibited items (whether that item or class of items is of a specified type, make, model, description, or condition, or a combination of these), including—
                                1. by the issuing of a schedule of those amounts:
                                  1. by determining the method by which the amount of compensation to be paid for a prohibited item is calculated, which may include—
                                    1. the maximum amount of compensation payable in respect of an item:
                                      1. the minimum amount of compensation payable in respect of an item:
                                        1. the proportion of a specified amount of compensation payable in respect of an item:
                                      2. impose conditions on any payment of compensation:
                                        1. specify the criteria that may be applied by the Commissioner when determining or assessing the compensation payable in respect of a prohibited item:
                                          1. confer and make any provisions with respect to rights of review or appeal against any compensation determined or assessed in respect of a prohibited item.
                                            1. Regulations made under subclause (1) may make different provision with respect to different persons, prohibited items, or circumstances or different classes of persons, prohibited items, or circumstances.

                                            2. To avoid doubt, regulations made under subclause (1) need not include compensation for—

                                            3. any economic loss; or
                                              1. any consequential loss; or
                                                1. any loss for business interruption; or
                                                  1. any loss attributable to intrinsic or sentimental value.
                                                    1. Regulations under subclause (1) are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

                                                    2. If the regulations provide under subclause (2)(e) for the Commissioner to determine an amount of compensation or the method for calculating an amount of compensation,—

                                                    3. the instrument by which an amount or a method is determined is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements), unless the instrument applies only to 1 or more named persons; and
                                                      1. the regulations must contain a statement to that effect.
                                                        Notes
                                                        • Schedule 1 clause 7: inserted, on , by section 72 of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 12).
                                                        • Schedule 1 clause 7(5): inserted, on , by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
                                                        • Schedule 1 clause 7(6): inserted, on , by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

                                                        2Provisions relating to Arms Legislation Act 2020

                                                        8Interpretation

                                                        1. In this Part,—

                                                          amendment Act means the Arms Legislation Act 2020

                                                            amnesty period means the period—

                                                            1. beginning on the commencement date; and
                                                              1. ending on—
                                                                1. the date that is 6 months after the first date on which regulations made under clause 19 come into force; or
                                                                  1. any later date prescribed by Order in Council

                                                                  commencement date means the day after the date on which the amendment Act receives the Royal assent

                                                                    specified item means—

                                                                    1. a specified prohibited firearm:
                                                                      1. a pistol carbine conversion kit

                                                                        specified prohibited firearm means—

                                                                        1. a semi-automatic firearm that—
                                                                          1. is capable of firing only 0.22 calibre or lower rimfire cartridges; and
                                                                            1. has a magazine, whether or not detachable or otherwise externally fed, that is capable of holding no more than 10 cartridges commensurate with the firearm’s chamber size; and
                                                                              1. has a lower receiver that is able to be attached to a centrefire upper receiver so that the resulting firearm is able to function:
                                                                              2. a semi-automatic pistol that is not—
                                                                                1. a small semi-automatic pistol:
                                                                                  1. a semi-automatic pistol held by a person referred to in section 2A(3):
                                                                                  2. a centrefire pump-action rifle that is capable of being used with a detachable magazine:
                                                                                    1. a centrefire pump-action rifle that has 1 or more non-detachable magazines (tubular or otherwise) capable of holding more than 10 cartridges commensurate with that firearm’s chamber size.

                                                                                    2. An order under paragraph (b)(ii) of the definition of amnesty period in subclause (1) is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

                                                                                    Notes
                                                                                    • Schedule 1 clause 8: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).
                                                                                    • Schedule 1 clause 8(2): inserted, on , by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

                                                                                    9Duration of firearms licences issued or applied for before commencement date

                                                                                    1. If a firearms licence is issued on or after 10 February 2020 on an application made on or after that date but before the commencement date, the licence is treated as having effect only for 5 years in the case of an applicant who—

                                                                                    2. has never previously held a firearms licence; or
                                                                                      1. has had their previous licence revoked or has surrendered their previous licence; or
                                                                                        1. has allowed their previous licence to expire without applying for a new licence before the expiry date.
                                                                                          1. Nothing in the amendment Act affects the duration of any other firearms licence applied for before the commencement date.

                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                          • Schedule 1 clause 9: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).

                                                                                          10Disqualification from holding firearms licence

                                                                                          1. This clause applies to a person who is the holder of a firearms licence immediately before the date of commencement of section 22H.

                                                                                          2. The holder is not disqualified under section 22H from holding the firearms licence even if the holder has, within the previous 10-year period ending on the date of commencement of section 22H,—

                                                                                          3. been convicted of any of the offences specified in that section; or
                                                                                            1. been released from custody after being convicted of any of those offences; or
                                                                                              1. had a protection order made against them under—
                                                                                                1. section 79 of the Family Violence Act 2018; or
                                                                                                  1. section 14 of the Domestic Violence Act 1995.
                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 10: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).

                                                                                                  11Kea guns

                                                                                                  1. This clause applies to a person who—

                                                                                                  2. is the registered owner of a kea gun; and
                                                                                                    1. has a firearms licence that bears an endorsement made under section 29(1) (as it read immediately before its repeal by section 49(1) of the amendment Act).
                                                                                                      1. The person must, within 6 months after the commencement of section 49(1) of the amendment Act,—

                                                                                                      2. obtain an endorsement under section 30 permitting the person to have possession of the kea gun in a capacity specified in section 29(2)(b), (c), or (d); or
                                                                                                        1. surrender the kea gun to a member of the Police.
                                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                                          • Schedule 1 clause 11: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).

                                                                                                          12Shooting clubs

                                                                                                          1. Subclause (2) applies to an incorporated pistol shooting club that, immediately before the date of commencement of Part 6, was recognised by the Commissioner for the purposes of section 29 (as in force immediately before the commencement of section 49 of the amendment Act).

                                                                                                          2. On and after the commencement of Part 6, the incorporated pistol shooting club is to be treated as if the club has been issued with a certificate of approval under section 38G.

                                                                                                          3. In the case of any other shooting club that existed as a shooting club immediately before the commencement of Part 6, an application under section 38D must be made within 12 months after the date of commencement of Part 6.

                                                                                                          4. If an application for certification of the club is made within that 12-month period, the club is to be treated, as from the time the Commissioner receives the application until the application has been decided, as if the club has been issued with a certificate of approval under section 38G.

                                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                                          • Schedule 1 clause 12: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).

                                                                                                          13Shooting ranges

                                                                                                          1. Subclause (2) applies to a pistol shooting range that at the date of commencement of Part 6 was approved by the Commissioner in accordance with regulation 22 of the Arms Regulations 1992.

                                                                                                          2. The pistol shooting range is to be treated as if the range has been issued with a certificate under section 38P during the period that—

                                                                                                          3. commences on the date of commencement of Part 6; and
                                                                                                            1. ends on whichever of the following dates first occurs:
                                                                                                              1. the date of cancellation of the Commissioner’s approval of the shooting range given before the commencement of Part 6:
                                                                                                                1. the date that is 5 years after the date of commencement of Part 6.
                                                                                                                2. In the case of any other shooting range that existed as a shooting range immediately before the commencement of Part 6, an application under section 38M must be made within 12 months after the commencement of Part 6.

                                                                                                                3. If an application for certification of the range is made within that 12-month period, the range is to be treated, as from the time the Commissioner receives the application until the application has been decided, as if the range has been issued with a certificate under section 38P.

                                                                                                                Notes
                                                                                                                • Schedule 1 clause 13: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).

                                                                                                                14Obligations relating to registry

                                                                                                                1. This clause applies if a person is a licence or permit holder under this Act immediately before the date of commencement of section 95 or is a prescribed person for the purposes of this clause.

                                                                                                                2. In subclause (1), prescribed person means any person who belongs to a class of persons declared by regulations made under section 74D to be prescribed persons for the purposes of subclause (1).

                                                                                                                3. The person must provide the Police with the relevant information within the time and in accordance with any other requirements prescribed by regulations made under section 74 or 74D (as the case may be) if the person—

                                                                                                                4. is applying for a licence or an endorsement; or
                                                                                                                  1. is notifying a change in circumstances (such as a change of address); or
                                                                                                                    1. has responsibility in relation to an event referred to in section 95(2); or
                                                                                                                      1. is subject to compliance or enforcement action by the Police under this Act.
                                                                                                                        1. If none of the circumstances in subclause (3) apply to the person within 5 years after the registry starts operating, the person must, from the close of that 5-year period, provide the Police with the relevant information in accordance with regulations made under section 74.

                                                                                                                        2. If none of the circumstances in subclause (3) apply to a licence holder within 5 years after the registry starts operating and the holder no longer possesses a firearm, part, magazine, or ammunition at the end of that 5-year period, the holder must notify the Police of that fact as soon as practicable after that period ends.

                                                                                                                        Notes
                                                                                                                        • Schedule 1 clause 14: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).

                                                                                                                        15Permits to import issued for purposes of section 16(1) of Act before commencement date revoked

                                                                                                                        1. A permit issued for the purposes of section 16(1) of this Act (as in force immediately before the commencement date) is revoked to the extent that it authorises the importation of a firearm that,—

                                                                                                                        2. after the commencement date, is a specified prohibited firearm; and
                                                                                                                          1. before the commencement date, has not been brought or sent into New Zealand.
                                                                                                                            1. This clause does not apply to permits issued for the purposes of enabling persons referred to in section 3(2) of this Act to carry out their duties.

                                                                                                                            Notes
                                                                                                                            • Schedule 1 clause 15: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).

                                                                                                                            16Specified prohibited firearms subject to the control of Customs at commencement date

                                                                                                                            1. This clause applies to a specified prohibited firearm that is subject to the control of the New Zealand Customs Service at the commencement date.

                                                                                                                            2. The specified prohibited firearm is to be treated as specified prohibited goods under section 98 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018 and the chief executive of the New Zealand Customs Service may, under section 85(1)(b) of that Act, authorise the delivery of the specified prohibited firearm to the Police.

                                                                                                                            3. At the time of that delivery, the specified prohibited firearm ceases to be subject to the control of Customs.

                                                                                                                            4. In this clause, subject to the control of Customs has the same meaning as in section 6 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018.

                                                                                                                            Notes
                                                                                                                            • Schedule 1 clause 16: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).

                                                                                                                            17Temporary amnesty for persons possessing specified items before commencement date

                                                                                                                            1. This clause applies to a person who, before the commencement date, lawfully possesses a specified item.

                                                                                                                            2. The person does not commit an offence under section 50A or 50AA of this Act for the continued possession of the specified item if the person does not use the specified item during the amnesty period.

                                                                                                                            3. Subclause (2)—

                                                                                                                            4. ceases to have effect at the end of the amnesty period; and
                                                                                                                              1. is subject to any other conditions (if any) set by regulations.
                                                                                                                                1. See also the provisions governing surrender and voluntary delivery of prohibited items in sections 59A and 59B of this Act.

                                                                                                                                Notes
                                                                                                                                • Schedule 1 clause 17: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).

                                                                                                                                18Compensation for specified items delivered to Police

                                                                                                                                1. This clause applies in respect of a specified item that, on or after the commencement date, is delivered or otherwise surrendered to a member of the Police.

                                                                                                                                2. The specified item becomes the property of the Crown, free and discharged from all right, title, or interest possessed by any person in respect of that item.

                                                                                                                                3. Compensation may be paid in respect of the specified item in accordance with any regulations made under clause 19.

                                                                                                                                4. However, nothing in this Act or the amendment Act otherwise confers any right to compensation, or is to be relied on in any proceedings as a basis for a claim to compensation, except and to the extent authorised by regulations made under clause 19.

                                                                                                                                Notes
                                                                                                                                • Schedule 1 clause 18: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).

                                                                                                                                19Regulations establishing compensation for delivery of specified items to Police

                                                                                                                                1. The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister of Police, make regulations establishing 1 or more schemes for the purpose of paying compensation in respect of a specified item that, during the amnesty period or any other specified period or periods, is delivered or otherwise surrendered to a member of the Police or meets any other prescribed requirements.

                                                                                                                                2. Regulations made under subclause (1) may—

                                                                                                                                3. apply to 1 or more classes of licence holders or other persons who, before the commencement date, lawfully possessed the specified item:
                                                                                                                                  1. apply to 1 or more classes of specified items:
                                                                                                                                    1. confer the right to compensation only if specified criteria or conditions are met:
                                                                                                                                      1. limit the right to compensation in specified circumstances (for example, the maximum number of pistol carbine conversion kits for which compensation may be paid to a person):
                                                                                                                                        1. provide for the Commissioner to determine the amount of compensation to be paid in respect of a specified item or a class of specified items (whether that item or class of items is of a specified type, make, model, description, or condition, or a combination of them), including—
                                                                                                                                          1. by issuing a schedule of those amounts:
                                                                                                                                            1. by determining the method by which the amount of compensation to be paid in respect of a specified item is calculated, which may include—
                                                                                                                                              1. the maximum amount of compensation payable in respect of an item:
                                                                                                                                                1. the minimum amount of compensation payable in respect of an item:
                                                                                                                                                  1. the proportion of a specified amount of compensation payable in respect of an item:
                                                                                                                                                2. impose conditions on any payment of compensation:
                                                                                                                                                  1. specify the criteria that the Commissioner may apply when determining or assessing the compensation payable in respect of a specified item:
                                                                                                                                                    1. confer and make any provisions with respect to rights of review or appeal against any compensation determined or assessed in respect of a specified item.
                                                                                                                                                      1. Regulations made under subclause (1) may make different provision with respect to different persons, specified items, or circumstances or different classes of persons, specified items, or circumstances.

                                                                                                                                                      2. To avoid doubt, regulations made under subclause (1) need not include compensation for—

                                                                                                                                                      3. any economic loss; or
                                                                                                                                                        1. any consequential loss; or
                                                                                                                                                          1. any loss for business interruption; or
                                                                                                                                                            1. any loss attributable to intrinsic or sentimental value.
                                                                                                                                                              1. Regulations under subclause (1) are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

                                                                                                                                                              2. If the regulations provide under subclause (2)(e) for the Commissioner to determine an amount of compensation or the method for calculating an amount of compensation,—

                                                                                                                                                              3. the instrument by which an amount or a method is determined is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements), unless the instrument applies only to 1 or more named persons; and
                                                                                                                                                                1. the regulations must contain a statement to that effect.
                                                                                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 19: inserted, on , by section 105 of the Arms Legislation Act 2020 (2020 No 23).
                                                                                                                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 19(5): inserted, on , by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
                                                                                                                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 19(6): inserted, on , by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

                                                                                                                                                                  3Provisions relating to Arms (Licence Holders' Applications for New Licences) Amendment Act 2022

                                                                                                                                                                  20Application made by firearms licence holder for new licence pending on commencement date

                                                                                                                                                                  1. This clause applies in respect of an application for a new firearms licence that—

                                                                                                                                                                  2. was made before the commencement date by an applicant—
                                                                                                                                                                    1. who at the time of making the application held—
                                                                                                                                                                      1. a current firearms licence; or
                                                                                                                                                                        1. a firearms licence treated as continuing in force under regulation 28ZB(5) of the Arms Regulations 1992; and
                                                                                                                                                                        2. whose firearms licence was not revoked or surrendered before the commencement date; and
                                                                                                                                                                        3. was not determined before the commencement date.
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Section 25A(2) and (3) (as inserted by the Amendment Act) applies in respect of the application and it does not matter if the firearms licence held by the applicant at the time of making the application expired before the commencement date or expires after the commencement date.

                                                                                                                                                                          2. In this clause,—

                                                                                                                                                                            Amendment Act means the Arms (Licence Holders' Applications for New Licences) Amendment Act 2022

                                                                                                                                                                              commencement date means the date on which the Amendment Act commences.

                                                                                                                                                                              Notes
                                                                                                                                                                              • Schedule 1 clause 20: inserted, on , by section 6 of the Arms (Licence Holders' Applications for New Licences) Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 69).

                                                                                                                                                                              21Endorsements to continue in force

                                                                                                                                                                              1. This clause applies if—

                                                                                                                                                                              2. an endorsement was made under section 30 or 30B on a firearms licence and that endorsement has not been surrendered or revoked; and
                                                                                                                                                                                1. the firearms licence is treated as continuing in force under clause 20.
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. If this clause applies,—

                                                                                                                                                                                  2. the endorsement continues in force, subject to section 33C; and
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. any conditions on the endorsement continue in force while the endorsement remains in force.
                                                                                                                                                                                      Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                      • Schedule 1 clause 21: inserted, on , by section 6 of the Arms (Licence Holders' Applications for New Licences) Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 69).

                                                                                                                                                                                      4Provisions relating to Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025

                                                                                                                                                                                      22Interpretation

                                                                                                                                                                                      1. In this Part,—

                                                                                                                                                                                        amendment Act means the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025

                                                                                                                                                                                          commencement date means the date on which this Part comes into force.

                                                                                                                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                          • Schedule 1 clause 22: inserted, on , by section 10 of the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 15).

                                                                                                                                                                                          23Pistol shooting clubs approved before commencement date

                                                                                                                                                                                          1. A pistol shooting club that, immediately before the commencement date, held a certificate of approval issued under section 38G (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as holding a certificate of approval issued under section 38G.

                                                                                                                                                                                          2. A pistol shooting club that under subclause (1) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as holding a certificate of approval issued under section 38G

                                                                                                                                                                                          3. continues to be subject to any improvement notice issued to the club under section 38V (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) as if the improvement notice had been issued under section 38XL; and
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. continues to be subject to any notice of temporary suspension issued to the club under section 38W (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) as if the notice of suspension had been issued under section 38XM.
                                                                                                                                                                                              Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                              • Schedule 1 clause 23: inserted, on , by section 10 of the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 15).

                                                                                                                                                                                              24Non-pistol shooting clubs approved before commencement date

                                                                                                                                                                                              1. A non-pistol shooting club that, immediately before the commencement date, held a certificate of approval issued under section 38G (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as enrolled under section 38O.

                                                                                                                                                                                              2. A non-pistol shooting club that under subclause (1) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as enrolled—

                                                                                                                                                                                              3. continues to be subject to any improvement notice issued to the club under section 38V (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) as if the improvement notice had been issued under section 38XL; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                1. continues to be subject to any notice of temporary suspension issued to the club under section 38W (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act).
                                                                                                                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 24: inserted, on , by section 10 of the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 15).

                                                                                                                                                                                                  25Pistol shooting ranges certified before commencement date

                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. A pistol shooting range that, immediately before the commencement date, held a certificate issued under section 38P (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as holding a certificate issued under section 38V.

                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. A pistol shooting range that under subclause (1) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as holding a certificate issued under section 38V continues to be subject to any improvement notice issued to the range under section 38V (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act).

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 25: inserted, on , by section 10 of the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 15).

                                                                                                                                                                                                  26Non-pistol shooting ranges certified before commencement date

                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. A non-pistol shooting range that, immediately before the commencement date, was certified by the Commissioner under section 38P (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as enrolled under section 38XH.

                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. A non-pistol shooting range that under subclause (1) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as enrolled—

                                                                                                                                                                                                  3. may be inspected under section 38XK, and, for that purpose, section 38XK(2)(b) must be read as providing for an inspection to be undertaken,—
                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. if the range has not been inspected since it was certified by the Commissioner, within 5 years after the date of its certification, and then at subsequent intervals of not less than 5 years:
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. if the range has been inspected since it was certified by the Commissioner, not less than 5 years after the date of that inspection, and then at subsequent intervals of not less than 5 years; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. continues to be subject to any improvement notice issued to the range under section 38V (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) as if the improvement notice had been issued under section 38XL; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. continues to be subject to any notice of temporary suspension issued to the range under section 38X (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) as if the notice of suspension had been issued under section 38XN.
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Schedule 1 clause 26: inserted, on , by section 10 of the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 15).

                                                                                                                                                                                                          27Non-pistol shooting ranges treated as certified before commencement date

                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. This clause applies to a non-pistol shooting range that—

                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. before 23 June 2023 had, in reliance on clause 13(3) of this schedule, made an application for certification under section 38M (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act); and
                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. immediately before the commencement date, was treated under clause 13(4) of this schedule as if it had been issued with a certificate under section 38P (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act).
                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. The non-pistol shooting range is to be treated as enrolled under section 38XH for the period—

                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. commencing on the commencement date; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. ending when the application made by the non-pistol shooting range under clause 13(3) of this schedule is decided.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 27: inserted, on , by section 10 of the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 15).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  28Applications pending on commencement date

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. An application by a pistol shooting club for a certificate of approval made but not determined before the commencement date must be treated on and after that date as an application made under section 38D.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. An application by a non-pistol shooting club for a certificate of approval made but not determined before the commencement date must be treated on and after that date as an application for enrolment under section 38M.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  3. An application by a pistol shooting range for certification made but not determined before the commencement date must be treated on and after that date as an application for certification under section 38S.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  4. An application by a non-pistol shooting range for certification made but not determined before the commencement date must be treated on and after that date as an application for enrolment under section 38XE.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 28: inserted, on , by section 10 of the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 15).