Firearms Licensing Review Committee

Establishment of Firearms Licensing Review Committee 

Under the Arms Act 2026, a new Firearms Licensing Review Committee has been established to review decisions made by Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (FSE) related to:

  • declining to issue a firearms licence on an application made
  • imposing a condition on a firearms licence
  • revoking a firearms licence

What is the purpose of the Committee?

If an applicant disagrees with firearms licensing decision, they now have the right to seek a review by an independent committee. The committee is set up to be an independent reviewer outside of the regulator. 

Related licensing information

Firearms Licensing Review Committee established | Arms Act 2026, Part 7, section 321 | New Zealand Legislation website
 

Who are they?

The new FLRC is designed to ensure reviews of licensing decisions are conducted by an independent body. It will be supported by a secretariat within FSE but will make decisions independently. 

It will review decisions based on information provided by FSE and submissions from the applicant, which can also be provided orally if appropriate. 

Members of FLRC are required to protect the privacy of applicants’ information and must not disclose any material they receive as part of their work.   

How it works

  1. Apply for a review

    Fill out an application form either through the outcome letter that was sent or download the pdf form.  

    Application for review of Firearms Licence Refusal, Revocation or Prescribed Conditions

    If you feel uncomfortable with making a written submission, you can request to make an oral submission which will be provided to the panel to review.  

    Please ensure that you have filled it out completely and send the form to FLRC@firearmssafety.govt.nz or submit your application via courier to: 

    PO Box 722, Paraparaumu 5032 SX 10074.

  2. Receive confirmation that your application has been received

    You will get an email acknowledgement from the Secretariat and at this point you don’t have to do anything. The Secretariat will reach out if they need more information.  

  3. Panel to review your application

    The panels members will come together and review your application, this might take some time.

  4. Wait for the panel decision

    If the panel members or the Secretariat want more information they will reach out to you. 

  5. Receive outcome of the application

    Once the panel has decided the outcome of your application, you will receive an outcome letter via email.

Who can apply?

  • Anyone who has been declined a firearms licence application, 
  • has an imposed condition on their licence, or
  • has had their firearms licence revoked.  

What is the timeframe for the application to be reviewed?

It will be case by case basis. The timeframe of which the panel will decide is based on several factors e.g. how much information is given, what is being discussed etc.

What if you’ve already applied for a review before 23 September?

A person who submits a s.62 review prior to Day One, where a final decision has not been made, will be passed to the Firearms Licensing Review Committee to make the decision.

A refused person or revoked licence holder who undergoes a s.62 review prior to Day One, could appeal the decision to District Court under the 1983 Act provisions. Any other decision against a licence holder under the 1983 Act that does not require a s.62 review, could still be appealed to District Court under the 1983 Act provisions.

How do I know my information is safe?  

Your information will be kept safe through a secure SharePoint folder that only a certain group of people can access from Firearms Safety and Education in order to securely share with the members of the Firearms Licensing Review Committee who will be reviewing your application. 

How much does it cost?

At the current moment, there is no cost to undergo a review through the Committee.

What happens if there’s conflict of interest?

If a Conflict of Interest is identified for any panel members assigned to your application (e.g. if a member of the panel is someone you know, or feels they are unable to make an impartial decision for any other reason), the Secretariat will work with the panel members to ensure a safe and fair review of your application. This may involve members recusing themselves, or members of the panel being reassigned.

Who are the panel members?

You can read about the panel members here: 

FLRC Committee Members 

Can someone write my application on my behalf?  

Yes, some can pull together the application and fill out the form on your behalf. Please indicate in the form that some has completed the from on your behalf.

Need further information?  

Please contact FLRC@firearmssafety.govt.nz for further help or to seek more information. 

 

Need help?
phonePhone 0800 844 431 (04 499 2870)
8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday