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The Arms Bill passed its final reading in Parliament this week meaning New Zealanders will soon have much better firearms laws that “respect licenced firearm owners and improve public safety”, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
“The Bill keeps firearms out of criminals’ hands, while making compliance easier for licenced firearm owners.
“Firearms are used by licenced New Zealanders to put food on the table, earn a living, manage pests, compete in sport, enjoy the outdoors, and more.
“The new law replaces a complex and confusing patchwork with legislation that’s more logically structured, easier to understand, and focused on the areas that matter most for public safety.
“It strengthens penalties and enforcement against unlawful firearms activity while removing unnecessary rules and improving the way the firearms system operates,” says McKee.
“One of the most significant changes is the creation of a new arms regulator, Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand, that will operate independently of the police.
“Police will be able to focus on investigating crime and holding offenders to account, while the regulator focuses on licensing, firearms safety, education, and delivering a professional service to licenced firearm owners.
“That separation is an important step towards rebuilding trust and confidence in the firearms regulatory system.
“Most of the Bill, along with regulations giving effect to the changes in the Bill, will come into force on September 23.
“The remaining provisions will come into force progressively by February 23, 2028,” McKee says.
“I would like to thank every New Zealander, including those members from the firearms community, who engaged with this process.
“The Bill had extensive consultation prior to being drafted, along with a full six-month select committee process where New Zealanders could share their views and suggest improvements. This is how law should be made.
“On a personal level, this is a very special moment. I came to Parliament six years ago with a goal of completely replacing the Arms Act 1983. That goal has been achieved.”
- Notable changes in the Arms Bill include:
- Separating firearms regulation from police and the creation of a new arms regulator.
- Establishing an independent firearms licencing review committee.
- Extending pest control endorsements to five years and allowing multi-user agreements for short-term transfers of restricted firearms.
- Removing the need for a permit to possess for short-term business activities such as taking a firearm to a gunsmith for less than 21 days.
- Extending multiple-consignment import permits for business licence holders so they remain valid for 12 months.
- Extending business licence duration to five years for those with a proven compliance record.
- Removing the ability for the regulator to include information in the firearms registry that’s not required by regulations.
- Allowing multi-entry visitor licences of up to 18 months.
- Allowing health-related suspensions for up to 12 months so individuals have time to obtain medical reports, implement mitigations, or seek help.
- Enabling infringement powers for low-level non-compliance.
- Disqualifying gang members from holding a firearms licence.
- Restricting large-capacity pistol magazines to only those who hold a pistol licence.
- Increasing penalties for some offences and creating eight new offences, including ones to reduce firearms entering the black market.
- Establishing a statutory “red flag” system with clarified information sharing so police and other agencies can continue to signal to the firearms regulator when they have relevant intelligence that might trigger a review of whether a LFO remains a fit and proper person.
