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Arms Bill

Miscellaneous provisions - Identification marking of arms items

328: Possessing arms item lacking identification marking

You could also call this:

"Having a gun or arms item without a special identification mark"

If you have an arms item without an identification marking, you could be in trouble. You must have a reasonable excuse for not having the marking. The item must be as described in section 324. If you have a firearm, it must have a special marking to show it is permanently deactivated. You could go to prison for up to 3 years or get a fine of up to $15,000. You must follow the rules about identification markings on arms items.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1534077.

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

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safety

327: Marking status of permanently deactivated firearm, or

"Marking a firearm that cannot be used"

329: Falsifying identification markings, or

"Don't put fake markings on guns or weapons"

Part 8Miscellaneous provisions
Identification marking of arms items

328Possessing arms item lacking identification marking

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years, or to a fine not exceeding $15,000, if the person, without reasonable excuse, knowingly possesses an item referred to in section 324 that does not have—
an identification marking:
an identification marking showing that it is a permanently deactivated firearm, if that is the status of the firearm.