new laws | Gun Law Tightens On Air Rifles

New Laws | Air Rifles Now To Be Regulated Under The Arms Act

New Zealand guns laws became tighter than ever on October 15^th when the law was amended to extend to cover all “pre-charged pneumatic air rifles” All airguns except those used in “air soft” and “paintball sports” will henceforth be classified as especially dangerous airguns and will now be subject to the licensing requirements of the Arms Act 1983

It is widely felt that the new ruling is a good thing because some models of modern air gun are capable of causing serious injury and possibly even death. The technology behind these weapons has developed such that they are now extremely powerful and according to some sources within the New Zealand police force, air rifles had become a weapon of choice for some criminals.

Until the law change it was possible to own an air rifle without being subjected to the rigorous background checks required to hold a firearms license in New Zealand. Air Rifles have been used in two homicides in New Zealand, a spokesman for the police maintained.

The law change brings the requirements for owning an air rifle into line with rules relating to the use and storage of other guns and they too must now be safely stored and users must undergo complete safety training. The importation of air rifles will now also be able to be monitored by the police and customs.

There is an amnesty period of three months up until 14 January 2011 for owners of PCP air rifles without a license to obtain a license, dispose of the weapon or hand it in to the police.