Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

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 using arms items

261: Carelessly using standard firearm, restricted firearm, pistol, restricted weapon, or airgun

You could also call this:

"Using a gun carelessly and putting people's lives at risk"

Illustration for Arms Bill

If you carelessly use a standard firearm, restricted firearm, pistol, restricted weapon, or airgun and someone gets hurt or dies, you could go to prison for up to 7 years. You could also go to prison for up to 5 years if you leave a loaded firearm in a place where it could put someone's life in danger. If you fire a firearm or use it in a way that could hurt someone, without a good reason, you could go to prison for up to 5 years.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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=LMS1534002.

This page was last updated on — View changes

Topics:
Crime and justice > Police and safetyCrime and justice > Criminal law
Previous

260: Using, discharging, or carrying exempt standard firearms without reasonable excuse, or

"Using a special gun without a good reason can get you in trouble"

Next

262: Using or attempting to use restricted firearm or pistol to resist or prevent arrest or commit offence, or

"Using a restricted firearm to resist arrest or commit a crime is against the law"

Part 6Further offences and firearms prohibition orders
Offences relating to using arms items

261Carelessly using standard firearm, restricted firearm, pistol, restricted weapon, or airgun

  1. A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years if the person causes bodily injury to, or the death of, any person by carelessly using a standard firearm, restricted firearm, pistol, restricted weapon, or airgun.

  2. A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years if the person, being a person who has in their charge or under their control a standard firearm, restricted firearm, pistol, restricted weapon, or airgun loaded with a shot, bullet, cartridge, missile, or projectile, whether in its breech, barrel, chamber, or magazine, leaves that standard firearm, restricted firearm, pistol, restricted weapon, or airgun in any place in such circumstances as to endanger the life of any person without taking reasonable precautions to avoid such danger.

  3. A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years if the person, without reasonable excuse, discharges or otherwise deals with a standard firearm, restricted firearm, pistol, restricted weapon, or airgun in a manner likely to injure or endanger the safety of any person or with reckless disregard for the safety of others.

  4. It is no defence to the crime of manslaughter that the guilty act or omission proved against the person charged is an act or omission constituting an offence against this section.