Changes to New Zealand Firearms Law (Part 2)

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6 month / December 2020 changes (Source NZ Police)

Overview of the changes

The changes which come into force 6 months after commencement (December 2020) are:

  • Individual licensing system:
    • Persons who are disqualified from holding a firearms licence (section 22G)
    • Application for firearms licence (section 23)
    • Health practitioner details (section 23(2A))
    • Issue of licence (section 24)
    • Fit and Proper clarification; (section 24A)
    • Inspection of premises (section 24B);
    • Decision review system, sections 62, 62A, 62B, 62C, 63, 64
  • Graduated Response to individual licence holders for breach of the Act or licence conditions:
    • Improvement Notices (section 60);
    • Temporary suspension of licence when Police are considering revoking the licence (section 60A);
    • Powers to seize firearms during surrender/suspension process (Section 60B).
    • Revocation and surrender of licence if holder becomes disqualified (se27B)
    • Revocation of suspended firearms licence (s27C)
    • Right of review of official decisions (s62, s62A)
    • Decision review system, sections 62, 62A, 62B, 62C, , 64,
  • Ammunition importing, buying and sales regime (sections 22C, 22D,  24C)
  • Health Practitioner reporting (sections 23(2A), 24(3) & 91)
  • Dealer Graduated Response to breach of the Act or licence conditions
    • Improvement notices (section 60)
    • Temporary suspension of dealer’s licence pending possible revocation (section 60A);
    • Effect of temporary suspension of dealer’s licence (s60C)
    • Revocation of suspended dealer’s licence (section 9A)
    • Right of review of official decisions (s62, s62A)
    • Decision review system, sections 62B, 62C, , 64,
  • Fines and penalties: There are new offences (and/or new penalties) that commence:
    • Restrictions on possession of
      • non-prohibited magazines and non-prohibited parts (s22A) (new offence)
      • ammunition (s22B) (new offence)
    • Restrictions on selling/supplying ammunition (s22C) (new penalty)
    • Failure of ammunition seller to keep records (s22D) (new offence)