New Zealand - Renew a Standard Firearms (Gun) Licence

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Procedure

1. Complete an application form. You can use the link provided under 'Documents to Use' section to download the form. Note: Do not fill in the test on the back of the form (multiple safety test) at this stage.
2. Take the application form to a PostShop and pay the renewal fee. Keep the receipt. You could get two passport photos, needed in the next step, while at the PostShop.
3. Bring the following to your nearest police station:
   1. your application form
   2. old licence
   3. proof that you have completed the safety course
   4. two recent passport style photos (for rules concerning passport photos visit the Department of Internal Affairs website - link
   5. three documents that prove your identity (passport, birth certificate, driver licence, photo ID, credit card/bank card)
   6. contact details of two character referees. One referee must be your spouse or next of kin, the other must be someone who is over 20 years old and not related to you
   7. PostShop receipt for fees.
4. Someone will arrange to visit you. They will conduct an interview and check your firearms security arrangements. They will arrange to interview your referees.
   Firearms Storage
   Before a licence is issued to you, you must be able to show the inspectors that your firearms will be stored in the manner set out in the Arms Regulations. If inspectors think there are violations to the rules your current one will be revoked. All licence holders must install security at their home, even if they don't actually have any firearms. Security requirements are particularly strict for dealers and for licence holders who possess pistols, restricted weapons or MSSAs.
   You must never put a firearm where a child could reach it.
   You must store firearms and ammunition separately or disable the firearms, or both.
   You must keep your firearms unloaded and locked away in a rack, stout cabinet, steel cabinet or strongroom.
5. Once the vetting process is complete, you will be notified of the result. And if your application has been successful, a licence will be issued to you.

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Required Documents

• Old licence
• Completed application form
• Proof that you have completed the safety course
• Two recent passport style photos (for rules concerning passport photos visit the Department of Internal Affairs website - link
• Three documents that prove your identity (passport, birth certificate, driver licence, photo ID, credit card/bank card)
• Contact details of two character referees. One referee must be your spouse or next of kin, the other must be someone who is over 20 years old and not related to you
• PostShop receipt for fees.

Office Locations & Contacts

New Zealand Police

Eligibility

To apply for a standard firearms licence you must be at least 16 years old.

The licence will allow you to have and use unsupervised:

• sporting type shotguns and rifles
• pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles.

You need a special addition to your licence (called an endorsement) to:

• possess or use pistols for target shooting (B endorsement)
• collect pistols and restricted weapons or stage theatrical performances involving pistols and restricted weapons (C endorsement)
• possess or use military-style semi-automatic (MSSA) rifles or shotguns (E endorsement).

Airguns

If you are 18 or older you do not need a licence to own or use an airgun unsupervised. You do need a standard firearms licence to use pre-charged pneumatic air rifles, except those used in airsoft/MilSim and paintball sports.

If you are 16 or 17 years old and wish to buy or use an airgun unsupervised, you need a standard firearms licence.

You will have difficulty being deemed 'fit and proper' to possess or use firearms if you have:

• a history of violence
• repeated involvement with drugs
• been irresponsible with alcohol
• a personal or social relationship with people deemed to be unsuitable to be given access to firearms
• indicated an intent to use a firearm for self-defence.

Fees

Application Fees (including GST):

• Standard licence (valid for 10 years), renewed before expiry - $126.50

(Note: any current endorsements held at the time of renewal may be transferred without charge to the new licence)

• Standard licence expired (previous licence expired or revoked) - $241.50

(Note: any endorsements upon an expired/revoked licence must be reapplied for and the endorsement fee paid)

• Standard licence endorsement(s) - $204.00

For one or more endorsements (when applied for at the same time), allowing you to have:

• target pistols (B endorsement)
• military-style semi-automatic rifles or shotguns (E endorsement)
• a collection of pistols or restricted weapons (C Collectors or Museum endorsement)
• pistols or restricted weapons for performing a play/film/re-enactment (C Theatrical endorsement)
• pistols or restricted weapons for hire or sale (F endorsement - dealers).

Validity

• Standard licence: valid for 10 years

Documents to Use

Standard Firearms Licence Application Form (PDF)

Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Instructions

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Required Information

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Need for the Document

A firearm is anything from which any shot, bullet, missile or other projectile can be discharged by force of explosion.

You can use a sporting firearm without a licence if you are under the immediate supervision of a licence holder. 'Immediate supervision' means the licensed person is within reach and can control the firearm. The superviser must not be using another firearm at the same time.

To be able to use a firearm unsupervised you must hold a standard firearms licence. A standard licence is valid for 10 years.

Following is a procedure on how you can renew a Standard Firearms (Gun) Licence.

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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External Links

• New Zealand Police:

http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/firearms/standard-new-zealand-firearms-licence

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