Storage and transportation of firearms and ammunition

All firearms licence holders must comply with the laws relating to secure storage and transportation of firearms and ammunition.

Secure Storage and Transportation Guide

Download and review it to make sure you meet all the requirements

Secure storage and transportation guide for firearms and ammunition (PDF 2.22 MB)

Review our quick guidance

Secure storage of standard firearms and ammunition (PDF 1.2 MB)

What’s in the guide?

The guide includes detailed information and pictures to help you meet requirements.

Storing firearms safely

This section of the guide includes information about Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand checks on your storage set-up.

Security for standard firearms

This section of the guide tells you how to meet requirements for:

steel cabinets, containers, or receptacles
display cabinets
securing a single firearm to a building
racks
trigger locks
wooden cabinets
ammunition storage
building security
security key and code storage
airgun storage.

Travelling with firearms and ammunition

This section of the guide tells you how to meet safety requirements when you’re travelling. It includes information about:

unattended vehicles
passenger ferry
motorcycles
public transport and public places
overnight journeys
cords and cables
mobile homes, campervans and caravan units (a boat has the same requirements as a mobile home)
hunting and pest control.

Note: If you’re flying, check with the airline about their rules for transporting firearms.

Security for endorsed firearms

This section of the guide tells you how to meet requirements for:

steel safes, boxes and cabinets
room construction – doors, locks, windows, alarms, walls, ceilings and floors
steel and concrete strong rooms
transport of restricted items for pest control purposes.

Shooting clubs and shooting ranges

This section of the guide sets out what shooting clubs and ranges must do. It includes recommendations about:

storage facilities
security on premises
ammunition
inspection
endorsed firearms on the premises.

Shipping containers and large heavy safes as secure storage

This section of the guide sets out the requirements that must be met when using a shipping container or large heavy safe to store firearms.

It includes:

features of suitable shipping containers
features of suitable large heavy safes.

Secure storage as a person responsible for arms items on behalf of an organisation

If you are a firearms licence holder and you are responsible for arms items on behalf of an organisation (a business, club, or range), the storage location and security facilities at the address must be approved.

Factors for consideration include:

the storage location
the usual occupancy of the premises
the building security and surveillance, and
whether secure storage devices meet all the requirements described in the Secure firearms storage and transportation guide.

Firearms safety in natural disasters

When a natural disaster strikes, your personal safety and the safety of those around you comes first. It’s also important to understand your responsibilities as a firearms licence holder and take steps to ensure your firearms and ammunition remain secure before, during, and after an emergency.

Be prepared

Secure your firearms and ammunition

Ensure your firearms and ammunition are stored in accordance with the requirements of the Arms Act.

Keep an up-to-date inventory

The Firearms Registry is the best way to keep a complete and accurate record of the firearms you possess.

Plan for emergencies

Plan in advance for situations where you may need to take your firearms with you if you evacuate, or whether they will remain in your secure storage.

If you need to leave your home, there may be situations where it makes sense to take your firearms with you, for example, if the security of your home, or gun safe, is compromised. Think ahead about how you will store them safely at another location.
In other situations, it may be safest if your firearms remain secured in your approved storage, just as you would when you go on holiday.

During a natural disaster

Prioritise life and safety

Only handle or move firearms if it is necessary and safe to do so.

If you evacuate with firearms

Ensure firearms are unloaded and carried in a locked case.
Take your firearms licence with you.
If you encounter first responders (Police, Fire and Emergency, Civil Defence), let them know you are a licence holder transporting firearms.

If you leave firearms behind: Ensure they remain stored in accordance with the requirements of the Arms Act. It’s also a good idea to take your safe keys with you.

After a natural disaster

Check for damage

Inspect your firearms, ammunition and secure storage for damage: Do not use firearms or ammunition that may have been damaged. Seek the opinion of a professional.

Report loss of theft immediately

If you discover that firearms or ammunition have been lost or stolen, report it as soon as possible:

Call 105 (non-emergency), or
Report online: https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105/firearm-assistance#main-content