New class of restricted weapon that was created after the Aramoana tragedy. At the time anyone with an M.S.S.A

    Renewed annually
    Further security requirements
    Must maintain a record (usually a book or register) of firearm purchases and sales.

E Endorsement – Military Style Semi-Automatics (M.S.S.A)

New class of restricted weapon that was created after the Aramoana tragedy. At the time anyone with an M.S.S.A that wanted to keep it in that configuration was given a E endorsement (after going through the vetting and extra security requirements). But presently few are issued. Common reasons for wanting an E endorsement are professional pest destruction, collecting, 3-gun and service rifle shooting. Those people that did not want the extra hassle and expense of the endorsement converted their rifles into 'A' configuration by removing the components that made it an 'E'.

F Endorsement – Dealers Staff Licence

This class allows a person working for a dealer to demonstrate a Pistol, Military Style Semi Automatic or a Collectable weapon without having to have that class of licence. They can demonstrate one but not possess one for personal use. This is not a well known endorsement
Buying and selling

Read More

D Licence – Dealers licence

 Collecting (must provide evidence in the form of books, club membership, collection of A type firearms), Museum curator, Family heirlooms and Theatrical.
    C category firearms must be stored in an inoperable condition
    Can never be used with live ammunition, but blanks are allowed for movie making and re-enacting
    Can only be taken to an approved display venue, re-enactment event or to another collector for sale.

D Licence – Dealers licence

For those that make an income from firearms. To sell restricted weapons the dealer also needs to have the appropriate endorsements.

Read More

Common special reasons include

 Applicant must be a current financial member of a pistol club, a financial member of Pistol New Zealand (or in some cases membership of an approved club) and have attended at least 12 club shoots in the last 6 months before they can apply
    Applicant must be sponsored by their club
    The endorsement holder must attend at least 12 club activities (either at their home club or to another recognised club) in a financial year
    Normally limited to no more than 12 pistols registered to their licence
    Pistols must be of an approved sporting type i.e. barrel length of more than 10 cm (3.9 in)
    Pistols can only be carried to and from the range in a locked container with ammunition in a separate container or to a gunsmith
    Pistols may only be shot on a Police approved pistol club range.

C Endorsement – Restricted Weapons Pistols can also be held on the C endorsement instead of the B. Common special reasons include:

Read More

A military pattern free-standing pistol grip

New Zealand's gun laws are notably more liberal than other countries in the Pacific and focus mainly on vetting firearm owners, rather than registering firearms or banning certain types of firearms.[4] Firearms legislation is provided for in the Arms Act and its associated regulations, though stricter unofficial police and government policies also apply[citation needed].
Categories of firearms

Firearms in New Zealand fall into one of four categories:

    Pistols are firearms shorter than 762 mm (30 in).
    Restricted Weapons include machine guns, selective-fire assault rifles, grenades and rocket launchers. This category also includes some non-firearm weapons such as pepper spray. Cabinet can declare things to be restricted weapons by regulation.
    Military-Style Semi-Automatics (MSSAs) include semi-automatic rifles and shotguns that have one or more of the following components:
        A folding or telescopic butt
        A bayonet lug
        A military pattern free-standing pistol grip
        A flash suppressor
        A magazine that holds (or looks like it could hold) more than 15 rounds of .22 rimfire ammunition or 7 rounds of a centrefire calibre.
    A Category firearms are those that do not fall into any other category, and are the vast majority of legally-owned firearms in New Zealand.

Read More

Except under supervision of a licence holder, owning or using firearms requires a firearms licence from the police

Registration is not required under the law but the police carry out a regime similar to registration for all but "A Category" firearms. Firearms in any other category require a "permit to procure" before they are transferred.

Except under supervision of a licence holder, owning or using firearms requires a firearms licence from the police. The licence is normally issued, under the conditions that the applicant has secure storage for firearms, attends a safety lecture and passes a written safety test. The police will also interview the applicant and two referees (one must be a close relative and the other not related) to determine whether the applicant is "fit and proper" to have a firearm. The applicant's residence is also visited to check that they have appropriate storage for firearms and ammunition. Having criminal associations or a history of domestic violence almost always leads to a licence being declined.

A standard firearms licence allows the use of "A Category" firearms. To possess firearms of another category a person is required to get an endorsement to their licence. There are different endorsements for different classes of firearm but they all require a higher level of storage security, stricter vetting requirements and the applicant must have a 'special reason' for wanting the endorsement.

Each endorsement type has additional requirements

B Endorsement – Target (Competition) pistols

Read More