Thread: Firearms over all length current legislation

Originally Posted by gundoc

The Arms Act (Section 2) defines a pistol as follows: pistol means a firearm (other than a prohibited firearm or restricted weapon) that is designed or adapted to be held and fired with 1 hand, and includes any firearm (other than a prohibited firearm or restricted weapon) that is less than 762 millimetres in length.

So does that mean prohibited firearms (P endorsed) don't need to be above 762?

Originally Posted by Mintie

So does that mean prohibited firearms (P endorsed) don't need to be above 762?

https://www.police.govt.nz/advice-se...bited-firearms

Originally Posted by akaroa1

Can anyone put up a link to the current legal description of A Cat firearms over all length ?
I know it's 30" 762mm
But specifically want to part about continuous bore or rifling
Or if it has been amended to inclusive of permenantly attached muzzle devices included

There is nothing about "about continuous bore or rifling" in the Arms Act. A permanently fixed suppressor (no rifling) can be used as the measurement endpoint for a rifle's overall length.
Example: I contacted the Police Arms Officer about the legality of a shortened barrel with a fixed suppressor.
The response was:

“If the modification of adapting a suppressor is permanent and from the butt of the rifle to the end of the permanently fixed suppressor exceeds the overall length of a pistol, I don’t see an issue. I would suggest a local arms officer inspect it upon completion to ensure that the modification is indeed permanent and complies with legislative correctness".

Note. Arms Act 1983 defines pistol - means a firearm (other than a prohibited firearm or restricted weapon) that is designed or adapted to be held and fired with 1 hand, and includes any firearm (other than a prohibited firearm or restricted weapon) that is less than 762 millimetres in length

Regards

Paul McLennan
District Arms Officer | Tauranga & Whakatane | New Zealand Police
Phone +64 7 5774300 Extn: 77112 | Direct Dial 07 5774412
Tauranga Police Station, 11 Monmouth Street, P O Box 144, Tauranga 3140