Thread: Licence Surrender pending renewal?

Well when I surrendered mine, I still had to redo the firearms test. Not quite sure what the difference was .

Originally Posted by canross

Thinking about this some more - I've been a reference for someone and done it via video call, in the last three years. Can you not have your storage listed at a mates place and do the interview online? I can see them being leery of doing the interview for the license applicant by video call, but surely living on the exact opposite side of the planet is a good justification for it. I guess or fly home for a visit and do it at the same time.

I have renewed my licence while resident abroad twice,both times I was back when it came up for expirey so there was no problem.The security was at a family member with whom I stayed when home so the security requirement was forfilled like that.

This time I cannot make it back in time,thats all the difference there is. Since the FSA or the Cops cant give me a straight answer on wether or not I can surrender it and not have to go through the complete FA licensing process as a new applicant,its probably wisest to pay for a professional opinion.

I

I know of 2 people who went through relicensing.

First guy let his expire back in 2013, he was just slack and couldn’t be arsed with the application and paying $126 which he’s regretted.

He’s having to go through the whole process again, has to pay the full first time fee ($240) and will likely get his license for 5 years before the 10 year renewal as there’s been a considerable time period of having no license.

I’m not sure if he’s required to complete the safety course but can ask next time I see him as he’s still in the process.

Another guy I know surrendered his license around 2017/2018 from memory and in 2022 reapplied for his license as he got the bug for pistol shooting, he applied for his A cat and pistol endorsement all at the same time, I’m unsure what the costs were but his wife also got her licenses as well but I can’t remember if it was just her or both him and her that had to complete the safety course.

Originally Posted by norsk

I have renewed my licence while resident abroad twice,both times I was back when it came up for expirey so there was no problem.The security was at a family member with whom I stayed when home so the security requirement was forfilled like that.

This time I cannot make it back in time,thats all the difference there is. Since the FSA or the Cops cant give me a straight answer on wether or not I can surrender it and not have to go through the complete FA licensing process as a new applicant,its probably wisest to pay for a professional opinion.

I

Given the above, are THEY making it more complicated than it needs to be? Can you not just apply for renewal and if you're overseas when they want to do the interview, just tell them that and see what happens. By renewing ahead of your expiry you are complying with the legislation. I'm specifically thinking of this:

25AApplication for new firearms licence made by holder of current licence

(1)The holder of a current firearms licence (licence A) may, before the expiry of licence A, apply for a new firearms licence.

(2)If an application for a new firearms licence is made but not determined before the expiry of licence A, licence A continues in force, unless it is sooner surrendered or revoked, until the date on which the licence holder is notified of the determination of the application.

(3)A new licence issued on an application made under this section takes effect from—(a)

the date on which licence A expires, if the new licence is issued before licence A expires; or
(b)the date on which the new licence is issued, if the new licence is issued after licence A expires.

Section 25A: inserted, on 29 November 2022, by section 5 of the Arms (Licence Holders’ Applications for New Licences) Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 69)

The way I see it, you apply for your renewal, they set a date for interviews/inspection. You inform them you're currently oversea's, they have two options. Interview you via video, interview your referee's in person and carry out secure storage, job done.
OR
They wait until you're back in country, during which time

"If an application for a new firearms licence is made but not determined before the expiry of licence A, licence A continues in force, unless it is sooner surrendered or revoked, until the date on which the licence holder is notified of the determination of the application."

This surely must apply. You have followed the requirements of the Act by applying ahead of expiry if the FSA are unable to determine because you're not available for a F2F interview, then your current license remains valid. There is NOTHING in the Act that says you MUST be in country to apply for a license. Anyway, food for thought

They did not at any stage acknowledge the fact that I was overseas.Despite me stating thus from my first email.Instead they told me to deliver the card at any Police Station and dispose of any firearms in my possession.

I just tried again via Emall.Lets see.

Originally Posted by norsk

They did not at any stage acknowledge the fact that I was overseas.Despite me stating thus from my first email.Instead they told me to deliver the card at any Police Station and dispose of any firearms in my possession.

I just tried again via Emall.Lets see.

That's what I mean, stop trying to surrender - that's what's got them stuck, just do the paperwork for your renewal and submit, then you being overseas becomes THEIR problem. There's nothing in the Act says you CAN'T renew whilst overseas so clearly it's possible, it's just not enshrined in law. Civil servants generally don't think outside the box, the system doesn't let them. When your physical location becomes a problem for them, then they will find a solution and they can not refuse to process your renewal but they can delay determining it, so your current license continues....as per the Act...it gives them walls to walk between and thats what they need, anything else just confuses them

Originally Posted by Zedrex

That's what I mean, stop trying to surrender - that's what's got them stuck, just do the paperwork for your renewal and submit, then you being overseas becomes THEIR problem. There's nothing in the Act says you CAN'T renew whilst overseas so clearly it's possible, it's just not enshrined in law. Civil servants generally don't think outside the box, the system doesn't let them. When your physical location becomes a problem for them, then they will find a solution and they can not refuse to process your renewal but they can delay determining it, so your current license continues....as per the Act...it gives them walls to walk between and thats what they need, anything else just confuses them

Do it as Paper work - not email. Volunteer as little as possible.

I was overseas when I reapplied - but volunteered the absolute minimum - they just had to wait till I was back in NZ for the interview

The Act governs not what they desire or they have set up.