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{{short description|Aspect of New Zealand laws}}
{{Update|inaccurate=yes|date=July 2023|reason=for example, there is now a firearms registry}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=August 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2019}}
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The '''gun laws of New Zealand''' are contained in the ''[[Arms Act 1983]]'' statute, which includes multiple amendments including those that were passed subsequent to the 1990 [[Aramoana massacre]] and the 2019 [[Christchurch mosque shootings]].
Nearly 300,000<ref name="Manch">{{Cite news |last=Manch |first=Thomas |date=5 August 2018 |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/105882611/the-battle-over-semiautomatics-police-frustrated-by-the-law-firearm-owners-frustrated-by-police|title=NZ's battle over semi-automatics: Police frustrated by the law, firearm owners frustrated by police|website=Stuff.co.nz|language=en|access-date=21 January 2019}}</ref> [[Firearms licence (New Zealand)|licensed firearm owners]] own and use [[New Zealand]]'s estimated 1.5 million<ref name="Manch" /> [[firearm]]s.<ref name="guncontrol.org.nz">"Kiwis go for the big guns", ''[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|Dominiost]]'', Tuesday 7 November 2006. Quoted at [https://web.archive.org/web/20080228124201/http://www.guncontrol.org.nz/index.php?%2Farchives%2F71-Dominion-Post-Kiwis-go-for-the-big-guns.html Gun Control blog] (archive), but not available from the newspaper's website any more.</ref>{{update inline|date=June 2023|reason=All sources are from before Christchurch mosque shootings}} Gun licences are issued at the discretion of the police provided they consider the person to be of good standing<ref>New Zealand.2008.'Delegation of Powers by Commissioner.' Arms Act 1983 No. 44.Wellington:Parliamentary Counsel Office,1 October. (Q3022)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/citation/quotes/3022|title=Delegation of Powers by Commissioner|website=Gunpolicy.org}}</ref> and without criminal, psychiatric or drug issues; as well as meeting other conditions such as having suitable storage facilities. Several different categories of licence are permitted, with the most common, "A Category", permitting access to sporting configuration rifles and shotguns.
Tighter regulation was imposed immediately after the Aramoana massacre in 1990, and the Scottish [[Dunblane massacre|Dunblane]] and Australian [[Port Arthur massacre (Australia)|Port Arthur]] massacres in 1996. After the [[Christchurch mosque shootings]] in 2019, legislation to restrict [[semi-automatic firearm]]s and [[Magazine (firearms)|magazines]] with a capacity of more than 10 rounds, and provide an amnesty and buyback of such weapons, was introduced and passed by the New Zealand parliament 119 to 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-10/new-zealand-gun-laws-pass-119-1-after-christchurch-mass-shooting/10990632|title=New Zealand gun laws pass 119-1 after Christchurch mosque shootings|date=2019-04-10|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New Zealand bans military style semi-automatics and assault rifles |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-bans-military-style-semi-automatics-and-assault-rifles |access-date=21 March 2019 |agency=New Zealand Government}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Christchurch mosque shootings live: NZ bans military style semi-automatic and assault rifles |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/111442846/christchurch-mosque-shootings-live-emotional-haka-broke-out-near-christchurch-mosque |access-date=21 March 2019 |agency=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref>
== Current firearms law ==
Gun laws in New Zealand focus mainly on vetting firearm owners, rather than registering firearms or banning certain types of firearms.<ref>From the [http://www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms/arms-code.pdf Arms Code] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624135816/http://www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms/arms-code.pdf |date=24 June 2007 }}</ref> Firearms legislation is provided for in the New Zealand's gun laws: the [[Arms Act 1983]],<ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1983/0044/latest/DLM72622.html Arms Act 1983], legislation.govt.nz</ref>
Arms Amendment Act 1992,<ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1992/0095/latest/DLM278351.html Arms Amendment Act 1992], legislation.govt.nz</ref> and Arms Regulations 1992<ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1992/0346/latest/DLM168889.html Arms Regulations 1992], legislation.govt.nz</ref> and associated regulations. About 250,000<ref name="Manch" /> people hold a New Zealand firearms licence. On 10 April 2019 new bills passed placing heavier restrictions on semi automatic firearms. As part of these, a 'buy back' scheme took place which saw
===Grounds to carry or use guns===
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====Personal protection of very important persons (VIPs)====
It is established New Zealand law and public policy that allowing privately owned guns to be carried by people who provide personal protection to VIPs, whether foreign or domestic, is not appropriate. Armed protection, if necessary, should be provided by the New Zealand Police or the New Zealand Defence Forces.<ref>{{cite report |author=Alliance minority view |author-link=
====Self-defence====
In the Arms Code, a manual on firearms safety, the [[New Zealand Police]] advise
While the [[Crimes Act 1961]] allows a person to use reasonable force to defend oneself or another person against assault or entry into a dwelling house, that force needs to be proportionate to any force being used to effect the assault or entry and not excessive.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1961/0043/latest/whole.html |title= Crimes Act 1961 |work= New Zealand Legislation Online |publisher= Parliamentary Counsel Office |access-date= 22 March 2019}}</ref>{{rp|48–56}} Preemptive action in anticipation of a threat or retribution after the threat has passed are both considered excessive force by the courts. Even police actions when confronting armed offenders that results in death or injury of anyone are thoroughly investigated by the police, the [[Independent Police Conduct Authority]] and, in cases of death, the coroner.<ref>{{cite news |title=Police watchdog says it will probably stop describing police shootings as 'justified' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/99575848/ipca-considers-changing-the-way-it-reports-on-police-shootings |access-date=25 April 2019 |work=Stuff |date=7 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gay |first1=Edward |title=Coroner's inquest starts into Myers Park police shooting |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/340701/coroner-s-inquest-starts-into-myers-park-police-shooting |access-date=25 April 2019 |work=Radio NZ |date=2 October 2017}}</ref>
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* '''[[Pistol]]s''' are firearms shorter than 762 mm (30 in).
* '''[[#Firearm licence|Restricted weapons]]''' include machine guns, selective-fire [[assault rifle]]s, [[grenade]]s and [[Shoulder-launched missile weapon|rocket launcher]]s. This category also includes some non-firearm weapons such as [[pepper spray]]. [[New Zealand Cabinet|Cabinet]] can declare things to be restricted weapons by regulation.
* '''[[Military-style semi-automatic]]s''' (MSSAs) include semi-automatic rifles and shotguns that have any of the following components:
** A [[Stock (firearm)|folding or telescopic butt]]
** A [[bayonet lug]]
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** A [[Magazine (firearms)|magazine]] that holds more than 7 rounds; magazines holding up to 10 rounds may be modified to carry 7 rounds. The limit on rimfire is 15 rounds per magazine.
** A detachable [[Magazine (firearms)|magazine]] that holds more than 10 rounds, excepting rimfire magazines, which may carry 15 rounds.
* '''[[#Firearm licence|A Category]]''' firearms
Registration
=== Categories of firearms after 2019 changes ===
* '''[[Pistol]]s''' Now must meet the definition of a "small semi-automatic pistol" and have an overall length of 400mm or less, have a barrel length of 101mm or more as well as be a
* '''Restricted weapons''' include machine guns, selective-fire [[assault rifle]]s, [[grenade]]s and [[Shoulder-launched missile weapon|rocket launcher]]s. This category also includes some non-firearm weapons such as [[pepper spray]]. As of late 2019 all semi auto
* '''Prohibited Firearms''' are a new category of firearms requiring additional endorsements, these include pump-action shotguns that is capable of being used with a detachable magazine, A pump-action shotgun that holds more than 5 rounds, A pump action centrefire rifle capable of being used with detachable magazines, A centrefire pump-action with a non detachable magazine that is capable of holding more than 10 rounds as well as All semi-automatic firearm other than:
**A rim-fire that holds no more than 10 rounds,
**A semi-automatic shotgun with a non-detachable tubular magazine holding no more than 5 rounds of that firearms chamber size.
**A small semi-automatic pistol.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1983/0044/latest/LMS187084.html? | title=Arms Act 1983 No 44 (As at 12 April 2022), Public Act 2A Meaning of prohibited firearm – New Zealand Legislation }}</ref>
* '''[[Military-style semi-automatic]]s''' As of late 2019 the MSSA category no longer exists with all
* '''[[#Firearm licence|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. As of late 2020 the A category no longer includes
*'''Prohibited ammunition'''
*Tracer ammunition - Projectiles containing an element that enables the trajectory of the projectiles to be observed.
*Enhanced-penetration ammunition -
*Armour-piercing ammunition - Projectiles intended to penetrate or perforate armour plate and ceramic armours, typically achieved through the use of hardened or specialised core materials.
*Incendiary ammunition (excluding flares for flare guns) - Projectiles designed to provide an incendiary effect on impact with the target.
*Explosive ammunition - Projectiles containing a high-explosive charge that detonates on impact with or in close proximity to the target.
*Multi-purpose ammunition - Armour-piercing incendiary ammunition in which the incendiary compound is replaced by a high-explosive charge to provide a blast, fragmentation, and incendiary effect as well as an armour-piercing effect.
*Discarding-sabot ammunition (excluding shotgun cartridges) Small-
*Multi-projectile ammunition (excluding shotgun ammunition) - Ammunition that has the ability to fire multiple projectiles in a single shot (for example, duplex ammunition).
*Chemical or biological carrier ammunition (excluding projectiles for any device designed and intended solely for any medical, surgical, veterinary, scientific, agricultural, industrial, or other similar lawful purpose) - Projectiles that have the ability to carry a chemical or biological agent.
*Flechettes (excluding projectiles designed and intended solely for any bolt gun, stud gun, humane killer, deer net gun, nail gun, or a pistol that is part of rocket-throwing or line-throwing equipment) - Lightweight, fin-stabilised projectiles, fired from a sabot, with an aerodynamic shape and small frontal area to minimise air resistance.
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Visitors to New Zealand can apply from overseas for a 1-year visitor's licence based on their existing licence in their country of residence, though frequent visitors are encouraged to apply for a 10-year licence. Licence holders who possess or use pistols, restricted or prohibited firearms, as well as collectors, require additional endorsements. Firearms dealers and their employees need an annual dealer's licence for their place of business. Only licence holders can buy, sell, or exchange firearms; permits to procure are needed for restricted firearms and licence holders must have appropriate and current endorsements. Importing or exporting personally owned firearms requires additional permits, and the importer or exporter must be a current licence holder with appropriate endorsements.
To become licensed<!---Note: in NZ English, this spelling is not a typo--->, the applicant must be a ''fit and proper'' person over the age of 16. They also need to have adequate secure storage for firearms, attend a safety
Having criminal associations or a history of [[domestic violence]] almost always leads to a licence being refused. An application can be refused if the applicant has indicators of drug or alcohol abuse, criminal associations, a history of domestic violence, or a physical, mental health or disability issue that would prevent them possessing or using a firearm safely. Previous denied applications or revoked licences may also be cause for denial.
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Firearms first arrived in New Zealand with European traders and were traded in large numbers to the native [[Māori people|Māori]]. This partly led to the [[Musket Wars]] of the early 19th century. As a largely agricultural society of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, long guns were a familiar tool for many people and outdoor pursuits involving guns, such as hunting, were often a source of food, and sometimes provided an income as well.<ref name="Thorp">Thorp 1997</ref> The first gun control laws were enacted in 1845, but early regulations were ineffective until the passage of the ''Arms Act'' in 1860, which required licences and registration of firearms and firearm dealers. Early laws were mainly targeted at Māori during the [[New Zealand Wars]] in the Waikato and Taranaki, and were largely suspended at the end of the 1880s. By about 1910 the laws were ignored and unenforced, as crime and the threat of political unrest were minimal.
Strikes in 1912 and 1913, a [[Russian Revolution|Communist revolution in Russia]], and large numbers of ex-military guns coming into the country after [[World War I]] were used as justification for a new law in 1920. The new law required the registration of all firearms and issue of a "permit to procure" before a firearm was transferred. Semi-automatic pistols were banned and a special permit was needed for other pistols (e.g. revolvers), with the intent of discouraging the carrying of concealed weapons. Few changes were seen for the next forty years as crime remained low and the country avoided political violence.
Increasing gun crime in the 1960s led to greater police use of registration records, which were generally inaccurate or out-of-date. A project to check the register began in 1967, and found that 66 percent of entries were inaccurate in some way, with many guns not to be found at all. Police thought that the register was largely useless, and that substantial resources would be needed to keep it up-to-date. It was believed that the government would be unlikely to provide the resources required to update the register and that it would be politically difficult to demand registration information from firearm owners.
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=== 2009–2018 ===
In August 2009, the police decided that any firearm, including single-shot bolt-action rifles, with a free-standing pistol grip that could allow the firearm to be shot inaccurately from the hip would be defined as an MSSA.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/2742360/Police-warning-on-new-weapons-rules|title=Police warning on new weapons rules|website=Stuff| date=18 August 2009 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref> However, the High Court rejected this attempt in Lincoln v Police [2010] BCL 194; 33 TCL 11/2. Parliament subsequently amended the Arms Act as a result of the court decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-digests/document/49PLLawBD18811/arms-military-style-semi-automatic-firearms-and-import|title=Arms (Military Style Semi-automatic Firearms and Import Controls) Amendment Bill 2011: Bills Digest No 1881 – New Zealand Parliament|website=Parliament.nz|date=30 January 2024 }}</ref>
In 2015, a TV reporter demonstrated how to subvert processes to purchase a gun by mail-order.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/73263428/null|title=Reporter's gun purchase 'like a terrorist activity'|website=Stuff.co.nz| date=22 October 2015 }}</ref> Police promptly changed their mail-order processes and commenced a criminal investigation.
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In March 2016, after Police seized 14 illegally owned MSSA weapons in a raid in south Auckland and 4 officers were shot during an armed siege in Kawerau,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/77955885/parliament-to-hold-inquiry-into-new-zealand-gun-laws|title=Parliament to hold inquiry into New Zealand gun laws|website=Stuff.co.nz| date=16 March 2016 }}</ref> Parliament's Law and Order Select Committee announced an ''Inquiry into issues relating to the illegal possession of firearms in New Zealand''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/business-before-committees/document/00DBSCH_INQ_68642_1/inquiry-into-issues-relating-to-the-illegal-possession|title=Inquiry into issues relating to the illegal possession of firearms in New Zealand – New Zealand Parliament|website=Parliament.nz}}</ref> In their final report in June 2017 the committee made 20 recommendations, of which the National government accepted 7 and modified another.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-response-firearms-select-committee-report|title=Government response to firearms select committee report|website=Beehive.govt.nz}}</ref>
In July 2017 a [[doomsday prepper]] Quinn Patterson, 56, used MSSA weapons to kill two property inspectors, wound a contractor accompanying them and skirmish with police for several hours before taking his own life. Even though he was denied a firearms licence in 2016 on the grounds that he was not a "fit and proper person", he befriended a former soldier with a type A licence, bought arms on his name and equipped them with large-capacity magazines, an investigation found later<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/return-to-mt-tiger-what-we-now-know-about-northland-killer-quinn-pattersons-weapons-project/WMYGRJYHQYRJYCSO6RNHKE73KM/ | title=Double killer's weapons project laid bare | date=29 June 2023 }}</ref> (the friend was sentenced to 12 months of [[home detention]]<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/07/michael-hayes-sentenced-to-12-months-home-detention-for-supplying-guns-to-double-murderer-quinn-patterson.html| title = Michael Hayes sentenced to 12 months home detention for supplying guns to double murderer Quinn Patterson {{!}} Newshub| newspaper = Newshub}}</ref>).
The government introduced the ''Arms (Firearm Prohibition Orders and Firearms Licences) Amendment Bill'' to implement several of the recommendations shortly before the [[2017 New Zealand general election|2017 election]] but it lapsed with the change of government. It was subsequently drawn as a member's bill but it failed to pass at the first reading.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20180905_20180905_23|title=Arms (Firearms Prohibition Orders) Amendment Bill — First Reading – New Zealand Parliament|website=Parliament.nz|date=30 January 2024 }}</ref> The Minister also directed Police to improve their administrative processes and consultation with the firearms community.
Prime Minister [[Jacinda Ardern]] was the chair of an executive committee which in 2018 ushered through amendments to the Arms Regulations 2002, to allow Police to accept and process various applications concerning firearms licences and weapons transactions electronically.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wall |first1=Tony |title=Changes to gun law overseen by Jacinda Ardern criticised |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/111438784/changes-to-gun-law-overseen-by-jacinda-ardern-described-as-crazy |access-date=25 April 2019 |work=Stuff |date=21 March 2019}}</ref> The Arms (Electronic Transactions) Amendment Regulations 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2018/0271/latest/096be8ed8181b822.pdf|title=Arms (Electronic Transactions) Amendment Regulations 2018|website=Legislation.govt.nz|access-date=20 March 2019}}</ref> were published in the ''Gazette'' on 20 December 2018. Previously under the Arms Act, if someone wanted to become a gun dealer, get a firearms licence, import a restricted weapon, or get a permit to buy a military-style semi-automatic, they had to physically deliver an application to their nearest police station. The regulations also allow for a buyer of a restricted weapon to show that weapon to police by video call – whereas in the past they had to take it into the station.
===Christchurch mosque shootings===
In the wake of the [[Christchurch mosque shootings|mosque shootings in Christchurch]], Prime Minister Ardern announced: "Our gun laws will change, now is the time... People will be seeking change, and I am committed to that."<ref name=NYTGuns>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/world/asia/new-zealand-gun-laws.html|title=New Zealand's Gun Laws Draw Scrutiny After Mosque Shootings|agency=New York Times|date=15 March 2019|author=Damien Cave, Matt Stevens|work=The New York Times }}</ref> Ardern continued by stating, "There have been attempts to change our laws in 2005, 2012 and after an inquiry in 2017. Now is the time for change."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/15/new-zealand-prime-minister-gun-control-jacinda-ardern|title=New Zealand PM vows to toughen gun control laws after Christchurch attack|last=Swaine|first=Jon|date=15 March 2019 |work=The Guardian|access-date=17 March 2019|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317020155/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/15/new-zealand-prime-minister-gun-control-jacinda-ardern|archive-date=17 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Attorney-General [[David Parker (New Zealand politician)|David Parker]] was later quoted as saying that the government would ban semi-automatic guns,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12213269|title=Christchurch mosque shootings: New Zealand to ban semi-automatic weapons|first=Jason |last=Walls |date=16 March 2019 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]}}</ref> but he subsequently backtracked, saying that the government had not yet committed to anything and that regulations around semi-automatic weapons was "one of the issues" the government would consider.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/384871/attorney-general-david-parker-back-tracks-on-comments-about-gun-control |title=Attorney-General David Parker back-tracks on comments about gun control |date=16 March 2019 |publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] |access-date=16 March 2019}}</ref> On 20 March 2019, Ardern announced that all military style semi-automatics and assault rifles would be banned.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/mar/21/new-zealand-shooting-jacinda-ardern-to-make-policy-announcement-live-updates|title=New Zealand Live Update Gun Laws|last=Lyons|first=Kate|date=21 March 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321020510/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/mar/21/new-zealand-shooting-jacinda-ardern-to-make-policy-announcement-live-updates|archive-date=21 March 2019|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=PM Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand will ban all military-style semi-automatic weapons and all assault rifles |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/385268/pm-jacinda-ardern-says-new-zealand-will-ban-all-military-style-semi-automatic-weapons-and-all-assault-rifles |access-date=21 March 2019 |publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=21 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321032601/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/385268/pm-jacinda-ardern-says-new-zealand-will-ban-all-military-style-semi-automatic-weapons-and-all-assault-rifles |archive-date=21 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ardern |first1=Jacinda |last2=Nash |first2=Stuart |title=New Zealand bans military style semi-automatics and assault rifles |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-bans-military-style-semi-automatics-and-assault-rifles |website=Beehive.govt.nz |publisher=[[New Zealand Government]] |access-date=21 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321032846/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-bans-military-style-semi-automatics-and-assault-rifles |archive-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> The first step in this process was taken on 21 March by reclassifying most semi-automatic firearms as "military style semi-automatic firearms" for the purpose of the Arms Act 1983, pursuant to section 74A(c) of the statute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2019/0055/latest/096be8ed8185276a.pdf|title=Arms (Military Style Semi-automatic Firearms) Order 2019|website=Legislation.govt.nz|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321043802/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2019/0055/latest/096be8ed8185276a.pdf|archive-date=21 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===
On 10 April 2019, the Government passed the [[Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019]], banning semi-automatic firearms, magazines, and parts. The Arms Amendment Bill was supported by all parties except the opposition [[ACT New Zealand|ACT Party]]'s sole MP [[
On 22 July 2019, Prime Minister Ardern announced a second series of gun reforms including creating a national firearms register, tighter restrictions on who can obtain a firearms licence, and a ban on overseas visitors buying guns in New Zealand while still allowing them to bring personal firearms into the country. The [[New Zealand Police]]'s union, the Police Association, has supported the establishment of a national gun register and welcomed the government's proposed reforms. Police Minister [[Stuart Nash]] announced that the Government would be drafting a new bill to codify these proposed reforms, which would be in August with a three-month select committee process to follow.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cheng |first1=Derek |title='Decades in the making': Government announces next stage of gun law reform |url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/government-announces-next-stage-of-gun-law-reform/ |access-date=22 July 2019 |publisher=[[Newstalk ZB]] |date=22 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=NZ Police Association supports next phase of gun law reform |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1907/S00241/nz-police-association-supports-next-phase-of-gun-law-reform.htm |access-date=22 July 2019 |agency=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]] |publisher=NZ Police Association |date=22 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |title=Firearms register among second raft of gun law reforms announced by PM |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/114411129/firearms-register-among-second-raft-of-gun-law-reforms-announced-by-pm |access-date=22 July 2019 |publisher=[[Stuff.co.nz]] |date=22 July 2019}}</ref> In late August, a draft version of the Government's proposed new gun laws was leaked to the opposition [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]]. National gun spokesperson [[Brett Hudson (politician)|Brett Hudson]] claimed that new legislation could lead to doctors "dobbing" in patients.<ref>{{cite news |title=Draft of Government's gun laws leaked |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12262552 |access-date=14 September 2019 |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=27 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Government's proposed gun legislation leaked to Opposition outlines harsher penalties, new rules |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/governments-proposed-gun-legislation-leaked-opposition-outlines-harsher-penalties-new-rules |access-date=14 September 2019 |publisher=[[1 News]] |date=27 August 2019}}</ref> On 13 September 2019, Prime Minister Ardern and Police Minister Nash formally announced that the [[Arms Legislation Bill 2019|Arms Legislation Bill]] would be introduced in late September. The bill would create a firearms register in order to stop the flow of guns to criminal groups. It attracted criticism from the National Party and gun lobby groups, who claimed it would punish lawful firearm owners and gun clubs instead of criminals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Collette |first1=Devlin |title=Government's tighter gun laws include register to track firearms and new offences and penalties |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/115782596/governments-tighter-gun-laws-include-register-to-track-firearms-and-new-offences-and-penalties |access-date=14 September 2019 |publisher=[[Stuff.co.nz]] |date=13 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bayer |first1=Kurt |title=Firearms register announced as part of Government's second tranche of gun law reforms |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12267442 |access-date=14 September 2019 |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=13 September 2019}}</ref> According to [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] and [[Reuters]], more than 19,100 firearms and 70,800 gun accessories have been surrendered to the gun amnesty as of mid September 2019. According to the Small Arms Survey, New Zealand has the 17th highest rate of civilian gun ownership with 1.5 million firearms distributed over a population of under 5 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Zealand to further tighten gun laws after mosque shooting |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/zealand-tighten-gun-laws-mosque-shooting-190913021639678.html |access-date=14 September 2019 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=13 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Menon |first1=Praveen |title=New Zealand's PM Ardern acts to tighten gun laws further, six months after attack |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-shooting/new-zealands-pm-ardern-acts-to-tighten-gun-laws-further-six-months-after-attack-idUSKCN1VY092 |access-date=14 September 2019 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=13 September 2019}}</ref> The bill was approved on 18 June 2020 and commenced on 25 June.
On 5 February 2022 the government introduced a new law the Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) Bill for its first reading.<ref>{{cite web|last=Williams |first=Poto |url= https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-takes-next-step-tackling-gun-crime |title= Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) Bill |website=Beehive.govt.nz |publisher=[[New Zealand Government]] |date= 5 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610042529/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-takes-next-step-tackling-gun-crime|archive-date=10 June 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 August it passed unanimously, allowing courts to prohibit specific criminal offenders from possessing firearms for 10 years.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/472559/firearms-prohibition-order-legislation-bill-passes-third-reading-in-parliament | title=Firearms Prohibition Order Legislation Bill passes third reading in Parliament | website=[[Radio New Zealand]] | date=9 August 2022 }}</ref>
On
== Notable groups ==
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== Statistical indicators ==
The Thorp inquiry found that reliable information was not available to answer basic questions about the number and types of firearms owned, used, traded, sold by the army, lost, stolen, or destroyed; people owning and using firearms legally or illegally; surrendered, revoked or refused firearms licences; re-licensing compliance; crime committed with firearms; and the cost of administering licensing and enforcement.<ref name=ThorpS13p5>{{cite book |last=Thorp |first=Thomas |date=20 June 1997 |title=Review of Firearms Control in New Zealand: Report of an Independent Inquiry Commissioned by the Minister of Police |chapter=1.3 Significance of Weak Information Base|url=http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/review-of-firearms-control-in-new-zealand.pdf |location=Wellington |publisher=GP Print |pages=5–7 |isbn=0-477-01796-7 |author-link=
===Firearms licence holders===
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== External links ==
*[http://www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms Police firearms information]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070624135816/http://www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms/arms-code.pdf The Arms Code] See: [http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/the-arms-code-2013.pdf Arms Code 2013] that can be downloaded from [http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/firearms-and-safety/arms-code Arms Code] on the [http://www.police.govt.nz/ New Zealand Police] website.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080414094216/http://www.police.govt.nz/resources/1997/review-of-firearms-control/review-of-firearms-control-in-new-zealand.pdf Thorp Report] – See: [http://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/publication/review-firearms-control-new-zealand-june-1997 Review of Firearms Control in New Zealand – June 1997] from [http://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/publications-statistics New Zealand Police Publications and Statistics]
*[http://www.colfo.org.nz/ Council of Licensed Firearms Owners]
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070727071032/http://www.peace.net.nz/cgc_fact_sheet.html Coalition for Gun Control]
*[http://www.gunpolicy.org/ Philip Alpers' Gun Policy website]
*{{cite book |last=Thorp |first=Thomas |date=June 1997 |title=Review of Firearms Control in New Zealand |url=http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/review-of-firearms-control-in-new-zealand.pdf |location=Wellington |publisher=GP Print |isbn=0-477-01796-7|via=police.govt.nz |author-link=
{{Gun laws by country}}
[[Category:Firearms law by country|New_Zealand]]
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[[Category:Law of New Zealand]]
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