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

Further offences and firearms prohibition orders - Offences relating to carrying, possessing, or presenting arms items

251: Unlawfully carrying or possessing imitation firearms

You could also call this:

"Carrying a fake gun without a good reason is against the law"

If you carry or possess an imitation firearm without a good reason, you may commit an offence. You could be carrying or having the imitation firearm with you. The proposed law says you would be in trouble if you do this without a lawful purpose. If you break this proposed law, you might go to prison for up to 2 years or get a fine of up to $15,000. This would happen if you are found guilty of the offence. The court would decide your punishment. If someone accuses you of carrying or having an imitation firearm, you would need to prove you had a good reason for doing so. This means you would have to show that you had a lawful purpose. You would be responsible for proving this in court.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1533990.

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

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safetyCrime and justice > Criminal law

250: Unlawfully carrying or possessing explosive, or

"Having explosives without a good reason is against the law"

252: Unlawfully carrying or possessing restricted firearm, pistol, or restricted weapon in public place, or

"Carrying a restricted firearm in public without a good reason is against the law"

Part 6Further offences and firearms prohibition orders
Offences relating to carrying, possessing, or presenting arms items

251Unlawfully carrying or possessing imitation firearms

A person commits an offence if the person, without having a lawful, proper, or sufficient purpose,—
carries an imitation firearm; or
possesses an imitation firearm.

A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine not exceeding $15,000.
In any prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) in which it is proved that the defendant was carrying, or in possession of, an imitation firearm, the burden of proving the existence of a lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose lies on the defendant.

Notes