Conditions

Find out about your obligations if you have an endorsement in your capacity as a bona fide collector of firearms.

Ammunition

You must not use the collection items with ammunition (either live or blank).

Firearms must be made inoperable

If you have a pistol, restricted weapon and restricted firearm as a bona fide collector, you must:

make it inoperable by removing a vital part of the action so that the firearm cannot fire a round – see more about vital parts below.
keep it in an inoperable condition.

Secure storage

For guidance on how to comply, download the Secure Storage and Transportation Guide for Firearms and Ammunition. Section 4 of the guide is about security for endorsed firearms.

Storage, transportation and display

Secure storage and transportation guide for firearms and ammunition

Vital parts – restricted firearms

You must store the vital part at an address different from where you store the firearm.

The different address may be:

your own place of work
your own alternative address
the address of someone who does not have a firearms licence
the address of someone who does have a firearms licence – but they must not have a restricted firearm that fits the vital part they store for you.

The address and the storage used for the vital part must be approved by Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand.

Vital parts – pistols and restricted weapons

You must remove the vital part of any restricted weapon, including fully automatic and select-fire pistols. Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand recommend that you remove the vital part of other types of pistols in your collection.

You may store the vital part at your address.

The vital part must be kept:

separate from the firearm
in secure storage that meets the requirements of the Arms Regulations 1992.

Greater flexibility for collectors storing vital parts of restricted firearms

From 23 February 2028, collectors who own restricted firearms will be allowed to store vital parts at the address of any licensed firearms owner (not just someone with the same endorsement), subject to regulator approval.

This change reduces regulatory burden and provides collectors and other endorsed licence holders with greater flexibility by allowing vital parts to continue to be stored at commercial storage facilities. Public safety will be maintained through the ongoing requirement for vital parts to be stored at a separate address approved by the regulator.

Previously, collectors were required to store vital parts at a separate address belonging to another licence holder who was endorsed to possess prohibited firearms.

Additional condition of endorsement in respect of restricted firearm in possession of collector, museum licence holder, or employee of broadcaster or theatrical company, etc | Arms Act 2026, section 193 | New Zealand Legislation website

Where you can take endorsed items

The items must remain at your house and can only be carried to other locations specified in the conditions of your endorsement.

You must contact Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand if you want to carry the items to a location not listed in the conditions of your endorsement.

Inspections

If you have an endorsement, you must allow a member of Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand to: 

enter the premises where the arms are stored for an inspection at a reasonable time 
inspect the pistols and where they are kept on the premises.

The person making the inspection must: 

show identification that confirms they are a member of Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand .
say they are making the inspection under section 190 of the Arms Act 2026
produce evidence that they are a member of the Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand if requested at any subsequent time.

Conditions of endorsement | Arms Act 2026, Part 4, Section 190 | New Zealand Legislation website

Additional conditions

Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand may impose additional conditions regarding the use and custody of any endorsed item.