Thread: Firearm storage in Ute

Hello,
I am planning a 3 and a half week holiday to the south island from Auckland, driving down, staying at DOC campsites in either a tent or rooftop tent. Campsites are in some prime south island hunting spots, which I will not get another chance to go for years, so the opportunity seems to good not to try. I will not be leaving the ute unattended for more then 2-2.5hours, whilst walking around the surrounding hills with family.

Has anyone managed to apply the same rules applicable to a campervan/caravan to a ute? Ute is a flat deck which I am about to build a custom service body for, so can easily accommodate a lockable safe, hidden out of sight. Trigger lock and cable lock would be used in addition

3.2.1 General
1. The storage of firearms and ammunition in a mobile home, campervan, or caravan unit must be inspected and approved by a member of the Police.
2. A firearms licence holder may only store their firearms and ammunition in a mobile home, campervan, or caravan unit while that vehicle or unit is being used as the person’s temporary or permanent home.
3. The conditions set out in regulation 19(2) and (3) apply with the necessary modifications to firearms and ammunition stored in mobile homes, campervans, and caravan units.

Would this likely be approved by the police or is it a waste of time trying?

I suggest you have two options. Go ask the said inspection person directly.... Or listen to everyone else and then still end up doing so.

Does a Hiace with a mattress and a little porta loo count as a camper van?

You are going on a holiday in a ute, not living in a camper etc. So going hunting with a vehicle (which is what we all do) are the requirements you have to meet. Don't overthink it.

Take the bolt with you on walkabout, same as what's required when you stop for fuel. At least you won't leave a working firearm behind. Also remove any hunting type stickers from said ute if you have any, nothing screams firearm more than all those stickers.

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

Take the bolt with you on walkabout, same as what's required when you stop for fuel. At least you won't leave a working firearm behind. Also remove any hunting type stickers from said ute if you have any, nothing screams firearm more than all those stickers.

Yep, the stickers are fun and impressive, but no. Not worth the hassle. Also keep stuff like ammo packets and gun bags out of sight.

I don't know whether the campervan provisions could be applied to a ute or car.

But my 2c is to also look at the practical aspects:
You don't want to have to go to the police and report a firearms stolen, so take precautions.
First, the most likely scenario is the whole vehicle gets stolen so set up some solid prevention for that.
I imagine that control of all sets of keys would be a basic operating procedure.
Avoiding a towaway, crash or write off would also be sensible.
Second, there could be an opportunistic theft from the vehicle or campsite.
Presence of the firearm needs to be discreet and it needs to be under your direct control whenever not secured.

what type ute , I have a van vault steel draw you can have for 400 in porirua take about 3hrs to fit very strong and heavy bout high as wheel arches only 1m long though great if you can lock tailgate . also cover ute with vegan / green peace stickers may even pick up a hippy chick for warmth / ha ha

At the risk of getting booted off here in a hurry. I’ll warn you this post won’t be helpful but is interesting. Not sure how the rule maker will like this, but I wish for one of these when I’m “big”:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=guJxW2OPj3c&pp=2AEAkAIB
I’m sure there a heavy price tag.