The firearm bill is out and needs our attention by 16 February 2026.
There are some good wins in it, not as many as we wanted, but that was always going to be the case.
We asked for a lot and Minister McKee and ACT understand where we are coming from and understand firearms and those who use them. The real problem is that National and NZ First do not, and to be honest, I am not convinced they even tried. In the end, it came down to negotiations, and from my point of view there were two known major issues.
First, getting the other two parties to actually listen and admit they were wrong to back the 2019 ban. We all know they are not very good at admitting mistakes.
Second, licence holders did not turn out in the numbers we should have during the last submission round. The number of people who took the time to submit was disappointing.
Politicians think in votes; that is all it is about and whether they want to get back into Parliament. We didn’t do our part to show how many of us there are or that we cared enough.
On top of that, there have been some poor comments and personal attacks from people who should have known better, like kids throwing tantrums because they didn’t get what they wanted. That helps no one.
There are positives in this bill. Removing the FSA from Police is a good move. Their mindset is focused on crime and criminals, and they have consistently treated licence holders as if we are the same as their usual crowd. That is plainly wrong. This change should be better for everyone and will free Police up to do actual police work.
The changes to dealer licensing and how businesses operate will also help. It will reduce wasted time and unnecessary annual relicensing. No other industry has been restricted in this way, and this will benefit both businesses and their customers.
I am not going to tell you what the pros and cons are, that is up to you to read and decide. But I do expect you to read the bill and make a submission, outlining your opinion, state what you want changed, your reasons for this, make suggestions around how it could be improved and also acknowledge the good points that you like as this bill needs support.
This bill needs support. The anti-firearms crowd will do everything they can to sink it and make things worse for us. If you choose not to help this bill and ACT by making a submission, then you are effectively helping them. Please note if more than one submission from the same household, you need to use different email addresses as only one will count.
Please do your part.
New Zealand’s Arms Bill 2025 Editor’s Notes
Like a lot of New Zealand families, we grew up with firearms in the household. As kids we had it drummed into us about firearm safety, “guns not being toys” and so forth.
Dad’s 303 was in a special cupboard and the bolt and ammunition were stored elsewhere. (Don’t tell Dad but we knew where!).
Safety was paramount though!
I have had friends die in firearms accidents and a good friend was one of the first responders at Port Arthur, Tasmania after the massacre. Being involved for most of my career in agriculture firearms are a necessary farm tool.
So I have my views on firearms, how we use them, how we store them and how we buy them.
So I will make a submission on the Arms Bill 2025, because it is important that I have the chance to state my views.
Make sure you have your say!
Summary
New Zealand’s Arms Bill 2025, introduced in late 2025, aims to replace the Arms Act 1983 with significant reforms, creating an independent Firearms Regulator, banning gang members from licensing, clarifying storage rules for renters, simplifying club regulations, and increasing penalties for offenses, focusing on public safety while easing burdens for responsible owners. Key changes include new offences for 3D-printed firearms and straw purchasing, establishing a Firearms Licensing Review Committee, and giving dealers five-year business licenses.
Objectives
- Strengthen public safety and reduce firearms offending.
- Reduce regulatory burdens on legitimate firearms owners.
- Improve compliance and close legal loopholes.
Status
The bill was introduced to Parliament in late 2025, following extensive public consultation earlier in the year.
For full details, you can visit the New Zealand Legislation website and the Ministry of Justice website.
Key Changes Introduced by the Bill
Independent Regulator: Establishes a new Firearms Regulatory Agency, separate from the Police, with its own chief executive.
Gang Disqualification: Gang membership automatically disqualifies individuals from holding a firearms license.
Storage Flexibility: Allows secure firearm storage at any approved location, not just primary residences, benefiting renters and students.
Simplified Club Rules: Creates different, simpler regulations for non-pistol shooting clubs and ranges.
New Offences: Introduces offences for 3D-printed firearm-related crimes and straw purchasing.
Enhanced Penalties: Increases penalties for over 60 existing firearms offenses.
Business Licenses: Renames dealer licenses to “business licenses” and extends their term to five years for compliant businesses.
Review Committee: Establishes an independent Firearms Licensing Review Committee to handle license appeals.
Submissions Close February 16
