Thread: Public perception of rifles

I can tell you that the piece of the Arms Act which is relevant to your proposed situation is Section 45, which states.

"45 Carrying or possessing firearms, etc, except for lawful, proper, and
sufficient purpose
(1) Every person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding 4 years or to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to both
who, except for some lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose,—
(a) carries; or
(b) is in possession of—
any firearm, airgun, pistol, prohibited magazine, restricted weapon, or explosive.
(2) In any prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) in which it is proved
that the defendant was carrying or in possession of any firearm, airgun, pistol,
prohibited magazine, restricted weapon, or explosive, as the case may require,
the burden of proving the existence"

The words that are relevant to you and important are......."except for lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose".

In Jaffasville some years ago several of us in full WW 2 Infantry kit, rifle and bayonet ( the works) were for several days wandering the main street of Takapuna, distributing flyers for a touring companies production of "Dad's Army". Before this we had approached the Arms Officer who approached the Head of the Takapuna Police area who said it was acceptable because it was for a " lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose."


I also turned out monthly at a local park , similarly Attired as front man for open days at a WW 2 artillery gunsite. ON the day in question I would telephone the central Police control centre responsible for the area and give them all the details, my name, address , telephone number, what I was doing there, when from until when , assurances that the rifle was unloaded, there would be no discharging of live rounds etc.
Strangely, I was never asked for my FAL details but I had them ready if necessary . I did insist on being given the activity event number( the identifying number under which all this was recorded in their records and at the end of the exercise, I would telephone them again and advise them that it was all over and they closed the record. Never any problems as agin, it was for a " lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose."

I suggest you do similar. Notify the Police control centre for the area you will be passing through, ENSURE THAT YOU RECORD the activity event number and advise them again when you were no longer "on the road." . That, coupled with keeping your rifle in a scabbard and not waving or pointing it around is all you can do and what I would do were I in similar circumstances.