Thread: A-cat

So what classes as an A-cat firearm over there??

Shotguns, bolt action rifles, semi automatic rifles without a pistol grip bayonet lug or flash hider and magazine of not more than 7 rounds for a start. There are minimum lengths as well but that should cover most of it

Sorry that should hve been "E-cat". Im just looking at gun safes so I know what I need when I get there, but some are classed as "e-cat" and some are "standard". I will only need it for bolt action rifles and shotguns.

A-cat safes range from tin-pot glorified lockers that a teddy bear could break into, to some nice sturdy units, but typically made with 2~3mm steel.
Where as E-cat safes need to be a minimum of 6mm thick steel.
There are a few other attributes they must have as well...
If you can afford it, go for a E-cat safe even if you only have a-cat firearms, they really are a safe!

So are some firearms classed as e-cat and can only be stored in and e-cat safe?? And if so what classes as e-cat? Semi auto rifle??

Originally Posted by hawkfish

So are some firearms classed as e-cat and can only be stored in and e-cat safe?? And if so what classes as e-cat? Semi auto rifle??

Yes, if the semi has a mag over 7 rounds (centerfire) or 15 (rimfire), a bayonet lug, flash hider or free standing pistol grip it's E cat.

So you can buy a AR15 on your A cat license but it can't have a normal capacity magazine or a free standing pistol grip. Regarding the safe just buy the E cat one because it's better built and if you decide to go for your e cat later you already have the safe.

The A cat safe can be got for around $300NZD while an Ecat about $900NZD. Mostly the cheap A cat safes are frankly barely adequate for the purpose, so a good A cat will cost your $600 odd.

Therefore if you have expensive guns and those worth stealing eg semi-auto AR15s and have the $s I suggest spending the $900~1000 on an Ecat grade safe even if its secured to the building to A cat standard.

Here is my A-cat Ar15, no flash hider is allowed, the bayonet lug has had to have been removed and I am not allowed a stand alone pistol grip, it has to be a "thumbhole" type. The mag also has to hold no more that 7 centrefire rounds (15 x 22LR) and look like it holds no more than 10 centre-fire rounds. Select fire is also not allowed even in E-cat. Select fire is only allowed on a special collectors licence and then it is not allowed to be fired, ever.

The magazine limit applies to all semi firearms, not just rifles. So any semi shotgun with more than 7 round capacity is E-cat too.

Ok cheers guys it all makes sence now, Im glad its not just us that has weird firearms regulations!

The one that gets me is the USA where laws vary state to state!. So you could travel to an event and break the law as you crossed the state line and be in deep doo doo.