Download original attachment
(PDF file)
This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'Information required to be given or collected when purchasing firearm ammunition or firearm parts.'.























 
4 February 2021
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our Reference: IR-01-21-645 
 
 
Ian McDonald 
Email: [FYI request #14439 email] 
 
 
Tēnā koe Ian 
I am writing to you in response to your request dated 11 January 2021. You wrote: 
1. At the time this request is received, when purchasing ammunition for a rifle or 
shotgun from a retail outlet selling ammunition, what personal information are you 
required to provide by law? (eg: current firearms licence, name, residential 
address, phone number, etc) 
2. At the time this request is received, when currently purchasing ammunition for 
a rifle or shotgun from a retail outlet selling ammunition, what personal 
information is the retail outlet required to collect by law? (eg: current firearms 
licence, name, amount and type of ammunition purchased, residential address, 
phone number, etc) 
3. At the time this request is received, when currently purchasing gun parts and 
accessories for a firearm, such as a sling, telescopic sights, suppressor, after-
market stock, after-market trigger, or any other part, what person information are 
you required to provide by law? (eg: current firearms licence, name, residential 
address, phone number, etc) 
4. At the time this request is received, when currently purchasing gun parts and 
accessories for a firearm, such as a sling, telescopic sights, suppressor, after-
market stock, after-market trigger, or any other part, what personal information is 
the retail outlet required to collect by law? (eg: current firearms licence, name, 
amount and type of part(s) purchased, residential address, phone number, etc)  
These are legal questions and it is not within the scope of the Official Information Act 
1982 to create information or to provide legal advice.  
Police National Headquarters  
180 Molesworth Street. PO Box 3017, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.  
Telephone: 04 474 9499. Fax: 04 498 7400. www.police.govt.nz   
























 
 
I can, however, point you to some resources1 in relation to the new Arms Act legislation 
that became law on 24 Dec 2020.  
The first two questions refer to the purchase of ammunition (as the law applies now) and 
the personal information a person has to provide and that a retail outlet has to collect. 
Currently, ammunition sellers need to keep records of ammunition sold or supplied in 
accordance with section 22E(1) of the Arms Act 19832. When purchasing ammunition by 
mail order or via internet3, section 43A(1) also applies4. Note that these changes do not 
cover prohibited ammunition. 
From June 2021, section 12 of the Arms Act 1983 will also require licensed dealers to 
keep particulars prescribed by regulations relating to ammunition supplied in the course 
of carrying on their business. These changes are described on the Police website5.  
The last two questions refer to the purchase of gun parts and the personal information a 
person has to provide and that a retail outlet has to collect. The requirements will vary 
depending on whether the part is a prohibited part or not. Prohibited parts and prohibited 
magazines can only be lawfully supplied to a person with an endorsement (and for 
prohibited magazines, a permit in relation to the magazine – refer ss 44A6 and 44B7) 
which will contain some personal information. For mail order or internet sales of non-
prohibited parts, refer to section 43A(1), and for prohibited parts refer to section 43A(3). 
From June 2021, section 12 will also require dealers to keep records in relation to arms 
items that are parts that are yet to be prescribed by regulations. 
For your information, Police has developed a process for proactive release of information, 
so the anonymised response to your request may be publicly released on the New 
Zealand Police website. 
Yours sincerely 
 
Mike McIlraith 
Acting Superintendent 
Arms Safety and Control 
 
1 https://www.police.govt.nz/advice-services/firearms-and-safety/new-firearms-laws-and-
what-they-mean/24-december-2020/ammunition 
2 https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1983/0044/latest/LMS440371.html 
3 https://www.police.govt.nz/advice-services/firearms-and-safety/licences-permits-and-
endorsements/mail-order-or-internet-sale 
4 https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1983/0044/latest/DLM72977.html 
5 https://www.police.govt.nz/advice-services/firearms-and-safety/new-firearms-laws-and-
what-they-mean/one-year-june-2021-changes 
6 https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1983/0044/latest/LMS187311.html 
7 https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1983/0044/latest/LMS187313.html