New Zealand Arms Bill Updates: Practical Changes for Firearms Owners and Public Safety

Further changes to the Arms Bill will make New Zealand’s firearms laws more practical, proportionate, and effective, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.

A range of changes to the Arms Bill recommended by the Justice Select Committee have been adopted by the Government and further changes are being proposed via an amendment paper.

The Committee’s report shows that licenced firearm owners, and all New Zealanders are finally being listened to, and that reflects what I've been hearing too, says Mrs McKee.

In 2019 and 2020, the Government rushed through changes with next to no consultation that treated licenced firearm owners as villains while failing to reduce crime committed by the unlicensed.

This time around, thousands of licenced firearm owners took the time to write a submission, they were heard, and many of their suggestions are reflected in the Committee's report.

The Bill is a significant improvement on the mess we have currently. A range of practical changes were made at Committee to remove unnecessary red tape, improve public safety, and ensure the law functions as intended.

The changes recommended by the Committee will benefit licenced firearm owners, firearms businesses, gunsmiths, clubs and ranges, hunting guides, museums, and pest controllers.

Changes recommended by the Committee and adopted by the Government include: Extending from seven to 21 days the period during which gunsmiths may possess pistols or restricted firearms without needing a permit to possess or immediately recording the transfer in the firearms registry.

Extending multi-entry visitor licences up to 18 months, giving greater flexibility to people returning for annual events such as duck shooting, the roar, or sporting competitions.

Clarifying that museum workers do not require an endorsement on their licence or permit to possess firearms while carrying out their duties.

Extending museum worker licences to five years initially and 10 years on renewal.

Clarifying a range of definitions so the law operates as intended for both licenced firearm owners and for public safety.

Allowing firearms licences to be temporarily suspended outside business hours where urgent action is necessary such as in domestic violence situations or where someone is at risk of harming themselves or others.

Setting 23 September 2026 as the main commencement date, with the Bill fully in force by 23 February 2028.

Mrs McKee will also introduce an Amendment Paper containing further improvements, including: Preventing the Arms Regulator from appointing members of the Firearms Licensing Review Committee, ensuring challenges to licensing decisions are considered independently of the organisation that made the original decision.

Requiring greater firearms safety and practical firearms knowledge among Review Committee members.

Removing provisions allowing the Regulator to proactively extend firearms licences, as extensions are already being used provided the person applies before their licence expires.

Removing the requirement to obtain a permit to possess when acquiring major parts for restricted firearms because these parts are often also used in standard firearms.

Making a range of further technical changes to improve clarity, public safety, and the workability of the law.

These changes strengthen the independence of the review process, remove unnecessary duplication, and ensure the new system works in practice, says Mrs McKee.

Separately, in regulations Cabinet has agreed to reduce the number of scheduled pistol shooting activities required to maintain a pistol endorsement from 12 to 10 each year, as recommended unanimously by the Committee.

This recognises that illness, range closures, and other unforeseen circumstances can make the current requirement unnecessarily burdensome, without improving public safety.

I thank the Committee for their constructive work on this Bill.

New regulations giving effect to the changes in the Bill will come into force at the same time as relevant provisions. Most of the Bill will commence on 23 September 2026, with the remaining provisions coming into force progressively by 23 February 2028.

Note to editors: The Amendment Paper can be found here: Arms Bill - Amendment paper No 658 | New Zealand Legislation