Police have released further details around recent amendments made to the Arms Act, which came into effect today (June 20).

Police say they want people with prohibited firearms to hand them in during the amnesty and buy-back period at collection events as part of new legislation amending firearms laws.

The first firearms collection event will be held at Addington Raceway in Christchurch on Saturday, July 13. More locations will be announced on Monday (June 24).

The buy-back price list can be viewed here.

The new firearms laws now in effect amend the Arms Act by banning most semi-automatic firearms and some pump action shotguns and also certain large capacity magazines. There are limited exemptions. The new laws also place controls around who may possess parts of prohibited firearms.

There will no longer be a category of firearm known as a military style semi-automatic firearm (or MSSA) and the old "E" endorsement will be obsolete.

The amnesty period ceases on December 20, 2019. 

Deputy Commission Mike Clement said that the police’s preference was that firearm owners attend these events to hand in firearms. However, there were other options available.

Those included bulk pick-ups by police for those with more than 10 firearms, exception-based pick-ups by police if there are security concerns or transport constraints, and hand-ins at selected firearms retailers or dealers, and police stations.

“Safety is crucial, so before coming to an event, owners must clear firearm(s) of all ammunition and put them and any parts in a safe carry bag,” he said.

“To speed up the process at events, owners should also complete the online form on the Police website.” 

Please also bring the following with you to collection events:

Your firearms licence (if applicable)

Photo identification (drivers licence or passport)

Your bank account number

Your online notification reference number

All your prohibited parts, cleared of all ammunition

Any other non-prohibited firearm/s or parts you wish to hand-in to Police.

For more information visit www.police.govt.nz or call 0800 311 311.