This page is about a bill. That means that it's not the law yet, but some people want it to be the law. It could change quickly, and some of the information is just a draft.

Arms Bill

General requirements - Requirements for possession of standard firearms, airguns, pistols, restricted weapons, standard magazines, non-restricted parts, ammunition, etc - Requirement for possession of airguns

18: Requirement for possession of airgun

You could also call this:

"Who can have an airgun in New Zealand"

You can only have an airgun if you are 18 years or older. You can also have an airgun if you are between 16 and 18 years old and have a firearms licence or visitor licence. This rule can be changed by other parts of the proposed law. You must follow this rule, or you might get in trouble. If you break this rule without a good reason, you could be fined up to $1,000. The proposed law has some exceptions to this rule.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1533555.

This page was last updated on 8 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safetyFamily and relationships > Children and parenting

17: Defence to prosecution for offence under section 16, or

"Defending Yourself Against Charges for Having a Blank-Firing Gun"

19: Defence to prosecution for offence under section 18, or

"Defending yourself against charges for having an airgun without proper supervision"

Part 2General requirements
Requirements for possession of standard firearms, airguns, pistols, restricted weapons, standard magazines, non-restricted parts, ammunition, etc: Requirement for possession of airguns

18Requirement for possession of airgun

A person may only possess an airgun if the person is—
of or over the age of 18 years; or
aged between 16 years and 18 years and holds a firearms licence or visitor licence.

Subsection (1) is subject to any other provision of this Act that provides otherwise.
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes this section.