29 March 2023
Changes made to transport regulations are subtle but important. Police will be out in large numbers over the public holiday to ensure our roads are kept safe. Hunters have a big part to play in that by keeping up to date with the most recent transport rules and making sure they follow them.
Transporting firearms to and from hunting sites will look a bit different for most hunters this roar. This includes 6 key rules for transporting firearms in a vehicle.
What are the key transport rules?
- All firearms must be concealed from view from outside the vehicle.
- Firearms must be made inoperable by removing the bolt or another vital part or by fitting a trigger lock or storing it in a locked case or carry bag.
- Firearms must not be loaded with ammunition in the breach, barrel or chamber, or magazine.
- Ammunition must be concealed from view from outside the vehicle.
- Ammunition must be stored separately from all firearms and be in a locked glovebox or similar storage area where practicable (e.g. a cash box).
- Food and toilet stops of up to 60 minutes are allowed if you have your vehicle nearby.
NZDA puts the call out to hunters to take responsibility and look after the safety of the public. All hunters have a responsibility to be particularly careful when transporting their firearms and ammunition. Learn the new rules, follow those rules, and protect our communities when you make the most of your roar hunting.
Storage and Transport Guide
New rules around storage and transport for firearms came into effect on 30 November 2022. Check the details here. https://www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/firearms-safety/storage-transportation
Rule 6: Store and transport firearms and ammunition safely
A firearms licence holder in possession of a firearm is required by law to:
- ensure young children, or any people without a firearms licence, do not have ready access to firearms and ammunition; and
- ensure that any firearm in their possession is stored separately from any ammunition for the firearm so that a person who obtains access to the firearm cannot obtain access to the ammunition.
These steps must include locking every firearm that is on the holder’s premises and is not under the immediate and personal supervision of the holder or some other holder of a firearms licence in:
- a lockable safe, cabinet, container, or receptacle of stout construction (secured to the structure of the premises); or
- a lockable steel and concrete strongroom; or
- a lockable display cabinet or rack in which firearms are immobilised
Police may inspect your security arrangements, including the materials used, method of construction (including locks, doors and hinges) and how the storage rack, safe, box or cabinet is anchored to the premises/structure.
Ammunition must also be stored in a separate secure storage container (such as a cash box or an ammunition box that is in secure storage or in a stout locked cupboard) with a different key or combination lock to the container for your firearms.
Restricted weapons must be rendered inoperable by removing a vital part. It is best practice to store the removed vital part in a separate cupboard constructed to the same level of security.
A complete firearm is dangerous in the wrong hands, so lock away your unloaded and disabled firearm and ammunition separately when not in use. Do this immediately when you return to camp or home from shooting. Securing firearms out of sight will help prevent them being stolen.
Changes to firearm storage requirements
On 1 February 2022, the Arms Amendment Regulations 2021 came into force and introduced further changes to firearms storage requirements.
The following areas of firearms storage are affected by the changes to legislation:
- premises and buildings
- secure storage requirements for mobile homes, caravans and campervans
- security requirements for firearms and ammunition in vehicles during transportation
- carriage of firearms on public transport
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Read the Secure Storage and Transportation Standards for Firearms and Ammunition (PDF 945KB) to understand your responsibilities for storing firearms and ammunition as a firearms licence holder or applicant. |
Arms Regulations storage standards
Firearms licence holders must take reasonable steps to secure firearms against theft. These steps include:
- Lock your firearm away in one of the following places:
- A steel safe, steel box or steel cabinet of sound construction which is securely fixed to the building , and is approved by Police.
- A room of “stout construction”
A room of “Stout construction" must:
- be in structurally sound condition
- have doors to the room, and their locks, bolts, hinges, and other fastenings that are in good condition
- have windows, skylights, or other things intended to cover openings to the room, and their locks, bolts, hinges, and other fastenings that are in good condition and are capable of being secured against unlawful entry.
- A steel and concrete strong-room of sound construction that is approved by the Police
- The use of trigger or action locks as additional security may be used in conjunction with the secure storage methods
Unload and lock your firearm away whenever it is not in use or not under the immediate supervision of a licence holder.
Never leave your firearm in an unattended vehicle.
Firearms in mobile homes
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. In this case, firearms must be:
- concealed from view in a lockable safe, cabinet, container, or receptacle of stout construction, concealed from view and mounted to the chassis of the vehicle.
- made inoperable if possible by removing the bolt or other vital part, either keeping this with you (as the licence holder) or hidden out of sight
- not loaded with ammunition in the breech, barrel chamber or magazine
- stored separately from ammunition (ammunition stored in a locked glovebox or similar storage area where practical
Firearms in vehicles
If you are travelling with your firearm(s), then they must be:
- concealed from view
- made inoperable if possible by removing the bolt or other vital part, either keeping this with you (as the licence holder) or hidden out of sight
- not loaded with ammunition in the breech, barrel chamber or magazine
- stored separately from ammunition (ammunition stored in a locked glovebox or similar storage area where practical).
Your vehicle can be left unattended during a break in a journey for up to 60min provided:
- you remain in the immediate area or vicinity of the vehicle
- the firearms or ammunition are still secured and out of sight
- where a vital part is removed, such as a bolt, it should remain in your possession
- your vehicle is locked, windows close and keys are in your possession.
It is good practice to have your vehicle fitted with an immobiliser and/or alarm.
2022 Firearms Safety Code
There’s a new Firearms Safety Code available. If you’ve got a firearms licence, make sure you’re familiar with the new Code. https://www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/firearms-safety/firearms-safety-code
