[autos]

hi everybody, anybody out there have any firearms? i have two hunting rifles which i planned to bring with me but it seemed a lot of hassle for two guns of little value. none of the authorities seemed very interested at all. my question then, are they expensive to buy in nz and can you still use handguns or are they banned there too? thanks in anticipation

[Dazza]

Have a look here http://www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms/

[Ant&Eve]

If you’re coming here on a work visa or by means of PR then you can only bring your firearms over if you have a New Zealand firearms license. To get one you first need PR.

The basic firearms license covers you for rifles (bolt action and semi auto) and shotguns. I applied for mine on Sept 5 last year, and it finally arrived on December 23rd. You put the application in, eventually someone comes round to inspect your security, and to interview you and your partner. If they approve you’re asked to visit the local police station to sit through a safety lecture followed by a 40 question test, of which you have to get 38 correct including all the safety questions. If you pass the license is granted and arrives in the post some 3-6 weeks later.

To own pistols/handguns you need an endorsement on your license. To get one you must join a recognized handgun club and attend it I think 12 times in the first six months. Do this, and get the endorsement from the club, and you can then apply for the handgun endorsement on your firearms license.

My rifles are still in the UK. I got my New Zealand firearms license in December, a New Zealand import license (from the police station) in January, and am now waiting (still, 8 weeks + now) for a UK government export license. Once I get that I can then have them shipped over here.

What I might advise though is to sell your firearms in the UK, go through the process of getting your New Zealand license here, then buy some new guns here. The costs of firearms is similar here to the UK, if not cheaper and you’d save on the storage costs of your guns in the UK plus the costs of shipping them here (mine will cost me some UKP 500).

Finally, you can bring firearms (providing they’re on the approved list – see the police link above) on a visitors import license – providing you’re coming here as a visitor - the import license for this is valid for 12 months.

[Avalon]

In a rather bizzare "only in New Zealand" context - our Nearly New House has no heating - but it does have a lockable gun cupboard in the garage!