The Arms Amendment Regulations 2020 will come into effect on 1 February 2021 and amend the Arms Regulations 1992. The new regulations enable the buy-back of a small group of newly prohibited firearms and parts covered by changes to the Arms Act 1983 in June 2020, which referred to “specified items” (firearms and pistol carbine conversion kits) and “specified parts” (parts). In order to apply for compensation for eligible items, in most cases, you will need to have handed in your specified items and specified parts prior to close of business on 1 May 2021. Exceptions to this are in place for people who apply for endorsements or permits and have these declined and for people who apply for unique specified item compensation and who have their application declined. The amnesty period, which provides protection from prosecution for continued possession of these items, will continue until 1 August 2021.

Only firearms and parts that meet the definition of “specified items” and “specified parts” and that were lawfully possessed on 24 June 2020 will be eligible for compensation. To receive compensation for an item that required a firearms licence at that time, you will therefore be required to show that you had a valid firearms licence when handing in those items.

All specified parts handed in must be related to, and able to be used on, a specified item, and not able to be used on a non-prohibited firearm, in order to receive compensation. Where it is a specified part that could also be used on a firearm that became prohibited on 12 April 2019, the part will not be compensated for unless the qualifying specified item is also jointly handed in.

If you have specified items or specified parts that are not included in the price list, you may be able to apply for a compensation amount to be fixed through the Unique Specified Item (USI) channel. Information on the USI channel is available on the Police website www.police.govt.nz

The buy-back process will start on 1 February 2021. Key things to note are below:

• Hand in will be at Police stations. We ask people to please make an appointment to hand in their firearms and/or parts by contacting Police on buyback2021@police.govt.nz.
• The application for compensation (apart from an application for an amount to be fixed through the Unique Specified Item channel) will be made when you deliver the specified item or specified part to Police (or in circumstances where Police agree to collect items, the application will be made on collection).
• Applications for a compensation amount to be fixed through the Unique Specified Item channel will be made by submitting an “Application for Compensation, Unique Specified Item” form (available on the Police website).
• When handing in your firearms and parts you will need to:
  • Transport the firearm to Police safely, including in gun bag and with ammunition removed.
  • Ensure before you hand your specified items or specified parts to Police that they are safely cleared (ammunition has been removed).
  • Show your firearms licence. A driver’s licence will be accepted if you are only handing in a Pistol Carbine Conversion Kit (PCCK).
  • Provide your bank account number.

Understanding How the Buy-Back Works for Firearms

The buy-back price for the items in this list reflects:

• Make, model and variant (where applicable)
• Base price – The value is as advised by New Zealand firearms experts before the law change was announced (i.e. immediately prior to 12 November 2019).
• Condition of the firearm – this is about the condition of the firearm that you are handing in for buy-back: is it new or near-new; used; or in poor condition? The condition of the firearm is important as it reflects what percentage of the value of the base price you may receive as part of the buy-back process. Please see details in the table below.

Pricing for firearms with 0.22 upper receivers that are now prohibited because the lower receiver is centrefire-capable is to be priced as follows:

• Where the firearm has an upper and lower receiver of the same make and model, it will be priced at the same rate as the centrefire variant on the price list used for the 2021 buyback.
• Where the firearm is a hybrid with non-matching upper and lower receivers, the price will be determined by using the make/model of the lower receiver and then pricing the complete firearm at the same rate as a complete centrefire variant of that make and model on the price list used for the 2021 buyback.
• For example, a full firearm with a Bushmaster centrefire lower receiver will be priced as if attached to a corresponding Bushmaster upper, even where the corresponding upper is of a different make and model, including circumstances where the upper is of a lesser value than the centrefire capable lower receiver.

It is for this purpose that some firearms that were prohibited in the April 2019 law changes are included on this price list.

Air pistol carbine conversion kits that are also capable of being used as pistol carbine conversion kits (and therefore fall within the definition of pistol carbine conversion kits):

Will be treated brand agnostically with a single price applied to all. Compensation for higher value air pistol carbine conversion kits should be sought through the USI channel.

Prohibited Firearms

Centrefire Pump Action Rifles with Detachable Magazines

Centrefire Pump Action Rifles with Non-detachable Magazines Holding 11 + Cartridges

Non Small Semi-Automatic Pistols and Lower Receiver Pricing

Pistol Carbine Conversion Kits

Accessories and Parts

Accessories that are now prohibited, such as magazines and suppressors, must also be handed in during the amnesty.

Understanding How the Buy-back Works for Parts, Magazines and Accessories:

As with the prohibited firearms, the buy-back price list for parts and accessories reflects:

• Base price – the value just prior to 12 November 2019
• Condition of the part or accessory – this is about the condition of the part or accessory: is it new or used; or is it in poor condition?

Items listed in these sections will only be compensated for when:

• That item cannot lawfully be used on a non-prohibited firearm.
• If the item can also be used on a firearm that became prohibited through the 12 April 2019 law change (and was therefore covered in the previous buyback), only those items that relate specifically to a specified item that was lawfully possessed before 25 June 2020 and is also surrendered to Police at the same time will be compensated for.

In addition, SKS and AR parts in the list relate only to those clearly branded for an AR or SKS firearm (as appropriate).

Other Accessories: this covers only those items that are for specified items (firearms) and cannot be used on a non-prohibited firearm or a firearm that became prohibited on 12 April 2019 unless a specified item is handed in at the same time.

AK/AR/SKS PARTS: this relates only to those parts designed for a specified item (firearm), are clearly branded for an AK/AR/SKS firearm, and cannot be used on a non-prohibited firearm or a firearm that became prohibited on 12 April 2019 unless a specified item is handed in at the same time.

Accessories

Parts

Other Information

Further information about the buy-back process and how you can hand in your firearm/s is available on the Police website. If you have queries regarding whether there are any exemptions to newly prohibited firearms, for example you are a collector, pest controller or a firearms dealer, please also visit www.police.govt.nz for further information.

Police is committed to working with firearms communities so the transition to the new laws is as easy as possible. We thank you for taking part in the buy-back process

Acronym Guide

The following guide has been provided to give a cross reference for firearms owners who may be familiar with well-known acronyms of their firearms but not the full names of them. Please refer to this guide when filling in your notification form or when meeting with assessors at the local collection events.