Thread: Law Regarding Ownership Of Pinfire Pistols

I have been told that it is not illegal to be in possession of an antique revolver or pistol that is a pinfire, where the firearm is of certain age and the specific ammunition is not commercially available. Can anyone point me to the written law on this?

The Arms act governs ownership of all firearms in NZ, check that for specifics.

Sweet found my answer:


Exemptions
(1)
Nothing in section 20 or section 21 makes it an offence for any person to be in possession of—
(a)
any firearm of the kind known as:
(i)
a bolt gun or a stud gun:
(ii)
a humane killer:
(iii)
a tranquilliser gun:
(iv)
a stock marking pistol:
(v)
an underwater spear gun:
(vi)
a flare pistol:
(vii)
a deer net gun:
(viii)
a pistol that is part of rocket or line throwing equipment:
(ix)
a miniature cannon; or
(b)
any antique firearm; or
(c)
any other make, type, or manufacture of firearm exempted from the provisions of section 20 or section 21 by regulations made under this Act.

antique firearm—
(a)
means—
(i)
any firearm that—
(A)
is held in the possession of any person solely as an antique (but not as a copy or replica of an antique); and
(B)
is not designed for firing, and is not capable of firing, rimfire or centrefire cartridge ammunition; or
(ii)
any firearm declared by regulations made under this Act to be an antique firearm for the purposes of this Act; but
(b)
does not include any firearm manufactured after 1899

Originally Posted by CBrom97

I have been told that it is not illegal to be in possession of an antique revolver or pistol that is a pinfire, where the firearm is of certain age and the specific ammunition is not commercially available. Can anyone point me to the written law on this?

"Possession" - kept in your home only.

"Held...solely as an antique" - no loady, no shooty, and of course no pointy at neighbour.