One-off Firearm part Import question

Hi guys,

Just to double check I've interpreted the rule correctly, I want to purchase from overseas a custom A-Cat (because it's going on my A-cat AR) ejection port dust cover. As it's not an 'Action' or part of the listed 'restricted' firearms as shown below, the way I read it, I don't need an Police paperwork. How do you guys interpret this and has anyone imported an accessory like this before? I don't want to get myself in the shit.

Cheers.

The section 16 of the Arms Act 1983 requires that:

A person must not, otherwise than pursuant to a permit issued to the person by a member of the Police, bring or cause to be brought or sent into New Zealand—
(a) a firearm, pistol, military style semi-automatic firearm, starting pistol, restricted airgun, or restricted weapon; or
(b) any part of a firearm, pistol, military style semi-automatic firearm, starting pistol, or restricted weapon.
In terms of ‘parts’. ‘Part’ is defined in section 2 of the Arms Act 1983 as:

part—
(a) in relation to a pistol, restricted weapon, or military style semi-automatic firearm, includes any thing, such as a butt, stock, magazine, silencer, or sight, which, while not essential for the discharge by a pistol, restricted weapon, or military style semi-automatic firearm of any shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile, is designed or intended to be an integral part of a pistol, restricted weapon, or military style semi-automatic firearm; and
(b) in relation to any other firearm, means the action for that firearm
Section 18 of the Arms Act 1983 provides for the issuance of permits to import for the purposes of section 16 of the Arms Act 1983. There is no provision for Police to issue a permit to import for components of firearms, other than those that fall within the definition of ‘part’ above.

To summarise, the only component of a firearm (that is not a pistol, restricted weapon or MSSA) that requires a permit to import is the action of that firearm.

Should be fine unless NZ Customs are picky. I usually email the AO at Customs when I have stuff coming and include a photo of said A-Cat AR15. They are usually pretty good to deal with.

I got this one from GUNSNZ as it was with other parts I bought at the time, but you can get lots of custom ones from Brownells. I personally wanted 'Infidel', but was sold out most places.

Attachment 82303

I tried to bring one in and customs found it they want proof that it is going on a a cat

Thanks dogmatix, that's sweet! I'll have a chat to the AO.

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Originally Posted by carlhurley

I tried to bring one in and customs found it they want proof that it is going on a a cat

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I think i'll send them a pic. Obviously they think we can't be trusted to act within the constraints of our issued licences.

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Originally Posted by omegaspeedy

Obviously they think we can't be trusted to act within the constraints of our issued licences.

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That's because they have caught plenty of Guys breaking the rules & have successfully prosecuted a few....

Can you name someone who has been successfully prosecuted by Customs or the Police for this, who wouldn't mind being contacted?

My last few import permits for MSSA they have wanted hand-ins or wanted proof of service rifle membership as evidence of a need.

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Originally Posted by Carlsen Highway

Can you name someone who has been successfully prosecuted by Customs or the Police for this, who wouldn't mind being contacted?

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I could but I don't think he would want to be contacted about it...

My understanding it was E-Cat stuff, a while ago now & he (nearly ?) took a few guys down with him.

Best to get a permit before the bits arrive in customs, (or a confirmation in writing its not required) especially if the parts can also fit MSSA's (I know I know its not required but........)
Police are a we bit funny about issuing retrospective permits as in they wont as far as I am aware

I recently got an import permit for some B cat parts, extractors, it had to go to Wellington to be approved, my local couldn't do it, along with a bit of other stuff now I understand.

I know I could have easily got around it, no one would know what they were.

But risking my licences for a few hundred bucks really isn't worth it, especially when you can easily go about it the right way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

I recently got an import permit for some B cat parts, extractors, it had to go to Wellington to be approved, my local couldn't do it, along with a bit of other stuff now I understand.

I know I could have easily got around it, no one would know what they were.

But risking my licences for a few hundred bucks really isn't worth it, especially when you can easily go about it the right way.

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I understand why you needed a permit for B-cat parts, because it clearly states it above in the rule. An A-cat rifle only requires approval if it’s the ‘receiver’ and the Police see the lower on an A-cat AR as the receiver. You could ship an upper without a police mail order form. So a dust cover doesn’t seem to fall into the category of a restricted part unless it was going on an E-cat. I’ll still get advice from the customs AO and send a pic for him.

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Originally Posted by omegaspeedy

I understand why you needed a permit for B-cat parts, because it clearly states it above in the rule. An A-cat rifle only requires approval if it’s the ‘receiver’ and the Police see the lower on an A-cat AR as the receiver. You could ship an upper without a police mail order form. So a dust cover doesn’t seem to fall into the category of a restricted part unless it was going on an E-cat. I’ll still get advice from the customs AO and send a pic for him.

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That maybe what the law states but those of us who have "been there, done that" know thats not the way it works in practice.

I am trying to get a picatinny rail for my s&w 586.

None in NZ. Some in Oz but they can't ship as they are controlled.

It is a rail. An attachment. $30

Can't import without a permit because it goes on a pistol.
Decided to fit one myself because by the time I did everything legal it was going to be too costly and time consuming.

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Originally Posted by mikee

That maybe what the law states but those of us who have "been there, done that" know thats not the way it works in practice.

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Fair enough, I’ll talk to an AO. Hopefully it’ll be a good one like the dude in Pukekohe. Top bloke.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mikee

Best to get a permit before the bits arrive in customs, (or a confirmation in writing its not required) especially if the parts can also fit MSSA's (I know I know its not required but........)
Police are a we bit funny about issuing retrospective permits as in they wont as far as I am aware

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He doesn't need a permit, and official Police policy is that they won't issue one.

He has it in writing. It's on the Police website and in the Arms Act.

If the package gets stopped by Customs (watch your tracking). Send the Customs Arms Officer an email (Arms.Officer@customs.govt.nz) and tell them it's for an A cat firearm and doesn't require a permit (reference the Police website). A copy(scan/photo) of your Firearm licence in the email will be helpful.

The Customs AO may ask for 'verification' that it is for an A cat firearm, which can be resolved by forwarding the email to your AO. How easy that is, varies on your AO.

NZ Customs are usually very easy to deal with.



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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Koshogi

He doesn't need a permit, and official Police policy is that they won't issue one.

He has it in writing. It's on the Police website and in the Arms Act.

If the package gets stopped by Customs (watch your tracking). Send the Customs Arms Officer an email (Arms.Officer@customs.govt.nz) and tell them it's for an A cat firearm and doesn't require a permit (reference the Police website). A copy(scan/photo) of your Firearm licence in the email will be helpful.

The Customs AO may ask for 'verification' that it is for an A cat firearm, which can be resolved by forwarding the email to your AO. How easy that is, varies on your AO.

NZ Customs are usually very easy to deal with.



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Thanks man, that is the way I see it too. I can't see that anything I'm doing is breaking the law based on the way the rule reads. The only issue is I see is that there will likely be no US company that will be willing to send one because of that crap that Obama put in place. Touch wood I can find someone who can send one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by omegaspeedy

Thanks man, that is the way I see it too. I can't see that anything I'm doing is breaking the law based on the way the rule reads. The only issue is I see is that there will likely be no US company that will be willing to send one because of that crap that Obama put in place. Touch wood I can find someone who can send one.

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You will not break any laws if your example is followed through.

Obama didn't put in any export controls (AFAIK).

Brownells is one the best online companies period. Dealing with them is easy and shipping us very reasonable. Shipments are guaranteed.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by omegaspeedy

Thanks man, that is the way I see it too. I can't see that anything I'm doing is breaking the law based on the way the rule reads. The only issue is I see is that there will likely be no US company that will be willing to send one because of that crap that Obama put in place. Touch wood I can find someone who can send one.

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Obama was the best thing for US Arms manufacturers, expected bans never occurred despite mass shootings and panic buying of firearms and ammunition.