Thread: Preparing for police inspection questions

Life is really good now that I have my license, I can't believe how lucky we are compared to most of the world when it comes to firearms freedom...

That's why I thought to myself recently that I should probably think carefully about any potentially risky mistakes that could cost me my license, and I got to thinking about inspections.

If I understood right, the police might do an inspection if they want to, and that might be more common for us with B/E endorsements. And if something goes wrong during this inspection that might cost me my license, so my questions are.

1) Even the slightest of unsecured ammo might be dangerous? Im considering locking up my entire shooting-backpack because you never know when ammo has accidentally made their way to the bottom of the backpack where it's difficult to find.
2) Do all police realize that high-cap is legal for bolt? I have many 25 rnd mags for my bolt rifle, since it's not so common that bolt rifles take AR mags maybe I should keep a printed text about the law that that is legal on bolt next to the mags just in case.
3) Is it legal to keep ammo in locked drawers (i.e not the safe)? If I've understood it right the safe-requirement is just for the weapon itself, whereas the ammo can be locked up in any drawer.
4) Same question as above but for the magazines, can they be locked in non-safe drawers? (the small ammo-part of my E-cat safe is too small to comfortably fit my mags)
5) How much forewarning is given to inspections? Does it give me time to double-check that everything is in order.
6) am I'm allowed to for example keep my handgun holstered around the house (for example to practice dry-firing at home) or can a police come surprise-inspect-knocking and saw "that should have been locked up unless you can prove that you were just now on your way to the range"
7) that thing I heard about removing-the-bolt into seperate place that's just a recommendation, not law,right?
8) Using those bolt-pad-locks is also just recommendation, not law, right?

I personally would be very hesitant to leave the pistols in a holster. Just take it out when dry firing and put it straight away

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At the risk of being torn apart by the stringent forum police, my comments are below

Originally Posted by GregGregGreg

Life is really good now that I have my license, I can't believe how lucky we are compared to most of the world when it comes to firearms freedom...

That's why I thought to myself recently that I should probably think carefully about any potentially risky mistakes that could cost me my license, and I got to thinking about inspections.

If I understood right, the police might do an inspection if they want to, and that might be more common for us with B/E endorsements. And if something goes wrong during this inspection that might cost me my license, so my questions are.

1) Even the slightest of unsecured ammo might be dangerous? Im considering locking up my entire shooting-backpack because you never know when ammo has accidentally made their way to the bottom of the backpack where it's difficult to find. Excessive but if you have the opportunity to lock your bag away then why not. Take reloading for example I would quite often have ammo in various states on the reloading bench and seing as my room is locked I leave it out
2) Do all police realize that high-cap is legal for bolt? I have many 25 rnd mags for my bolt rifle, since it's not so common that bolt rifles take AR mags maybe I should keep a printed text about the law that that is legal on bolt next to the mags just in case.By all means have the text but all my inspections have always been by someone who knows what they are looking at (this is not the same everywhere)
3) Is it legal to keep ammo in locked drawers (i.e not the safe)? If I've understood it right the safe-requirement is just for the weapon itself, whereas the ammo can be locked up in any drawer.Yes
4) Same question as above but for the magazines, can they be locked in non-safe drawers? (the small ammo-part of my E-cat safe is too small to comfortably fit my mags)Yes
5) How much forewarning is given to inspections? Does it give me time to double-check that everything is in order.I would challenge everything should always be "in order" but all my inspections they usually call to make a time that suits with both parties
6) am I'm allowed to for example keep my handgun holstered around the house (for example to practice dry-firing at home) or can a police come surprise-inspect-knocking and saw "that should have been locked up unless you can prove that you were just now on your way to the range" Plenty of people dry fire as long as your not doing it by a window in plain view of the public causing a scare you would be incredibly unlucky to be prosecuted for practising your chosen sport, therefore making you safer by doing so.
7) that thing I heard about removing-the-bolt into seperate place that's just a recommendation, not law,right? right
8) Using those bolt-pad-locks is also just recommendation, not law, right?right

Originally Posted by GregGregGreg

Life is really good now that I have my license, I can't believe how lucky we are compared to most of the world when it comes to firearms freedom...

That's why I thought to myself recently that I should probably think carefully about any potentially risky mistakes that could cost me my license, and I got to thinking about inspections.

If I understood right, the police might do an inspection if they want to, and that might be more common for us with B/E endorsements. And if something goes wrong during this inspection that might cost me my license, so my questions are.

1) Even the slightest of unsecured ammo might be dangerous? Im considering locking up my entire shooting-backpack because you never know when ammo has accidentally made their way to the bottom of the backpack where it's difficult to find.
2) Do all police realize that high-cap is legal for bolt? I have many 25 rnd mags for my bolt rifle, since it's not so common that bolt rifles take AR mags maybe I should keep a printed text about the law that that is legal on bolt next to the mags just in case.
3) Is it legal to keep ammo in locked drawers (i.e not the safe)? If I've understood it right the safe-requirement is just for the weapon itself, whereas the ammo can be locked up in any drawer.
4) Same question as above but for the magazines, can they be locked in non-safe drawers? (the small ammo-part of my E-cat safe is too small to comfortably fit my mags)
5) How much forewarning is given to inspections? Does it give me time to double-check that everything is in order.
6) am I'm allowed to for example keep my handgun holstered around the house (for example to practice dry-firing at home) or can a police come surprise-inspect-knocking and saw "that should have been locked up unless you can prove that you were just now on your way to the range"
7) that thing I heard about removing-the-bolt into seperate place that's just a recommendation, not law,right?
8) Using those bolt-pad-locks is also just recommendation, not law, right?

(1) The legal requirement is for ammo to be kept separate from the firearms and secure from children. There is no legal requirement for it to be locked away.

(2) Keep your A cat bolt-gun magazines away from A cat semi-autos.

(3) See 1.

(4) There is no legal requirement to have magazines locked away.

(5) They usually ring and arrange a time. You shouldn't need to rush around and sort things - you should be correct at any time.

(6) You are entitled to practice dry-firing with your pistol at any time in your own home but it must be under your continuous personal care, not lying around.

(7) Removing bolts is not a legal requirement provided the ammo is stored separately from the firearm. Removing bolts for separate storage is definitely NOT recommended! They are often irreplaceable.

(8) Pad locks are not a legal requirement provided your storage cabinet meets the requirements.

Great, thanks for tall the replies.

Originally Posted by gundoc

(
(2) Keep your A cat bolt-gun magazines away from A cat semi-autos.

Well if I've understood correctly it's not that simple, I think I've read that any high-cap mag in your house that could potentially fit into a a-cat-semi would be highly illegal, even if you never combine them. That's why I don't own any semi 308 because that would mean I would have to get rid of ALL high-cap mags even if I only intend to use the high-cap for my bolt 308. Which is a bit of shame as it would be fun to have a semi 308 too.

Originally Posted by GregGregGreg

Great, thanks for tall the replies.


Well if I've understood correctly it's not that simple, I think I've read that any high-cap mag in your house that could potentially fit into a a-cat-semi would be highly illegal, even if you never combine them. That's why I don't own any semi 308 because that would mean I would have to get rid of ALL high-cap mags even if I only intend to use the high-cap for my bolt 308. Which is a bit of shame as it would be fun to have a semi 308 too.

No, that is not the case. The law merely states that a 'sporting configuration' a cat semi-auto 'must be maintained at all times in that condition'. That means that it is agin the rules to fit a high capacity magazine to it. There is no law that prevents the ownership of magazines. If you have A cat 'non semi-auto' (bolt, pump, lever) firearms that accept the high capacity mags you have, that is sufficient lawful reason to possess them.

Also to have a firearm licence you have been assessed by the Police to be a "fit and proper person" A fit and proper person would not put a magazine with a capacity greater than 7 rounds into a A-cat semi auto.

It basically comes down to common sense & rational thinking. You can own both types of magazines (normal & reduced) but do not put magazines that hold greater than 7 rounds into an Acat semi.

Common sense would tell you that 100's if not 1000's of other FAL holders across NZ are in the same predicament. Especially guys that run E & A cat semi's. It's up to the individual to choose to abide by the law. Sure there would be some out there that break the rules and think they will get away with it - But you can only run a stop sign so often before eventually you crash.

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

It basically comes down to common sense & rational thinking. You can own both types of magazines (normal & reduced) but do not put magazines that hold greater than 7 rounds into an Acat semi.

Common sense would tell you that 100's if not 1000's of other FAL holders across NZ are in the same predicament. Especially guys that run E & A cat semi's. It's up to the individual to choose to abide by the law. Sure there would be some out there that break the rules and think they will get away with it - But you can only run a stop sign so often before eventually you crash.

15 rounds on rimfire semi's

Originally Posted by stug

Also to have a firearm licence you have been assessed by the Police to be a "fit and proper person" A fit and proper person would not put a magazine with a capacity greater than 7 rounds into a A-cat semi auto.

Yeah, because that never happens.

@gonetropo - Yes that is correct, I meant in regards to centerfire.

@systolic - Studies have proven that people who are extremely pessimistic have short lives. Consider some life changes bud.

Originally Posted by stug

A fit and proper person would not put a magazine with a capacity greater than 7 rounds into a A-cat semi auto.

No.. that's right. I would never, ever, ever do that even for shits and giggles.

Originally Posted by makelowerwithdremel

What if burglars are breaking the door and the ammo is separate from the AR, what tips would you recommend to load the ammo fast?

Grab the Glock 43 you have wedged between your butt cheeks and provide cover fire while you load your AR.

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Originally Posted by muzza

Assuming the ammo is separate to the firearms you would be fine - in law. The officer attending may disagree and it will be your dollar that makes case history to prove him wrong.

Store the ammo away from view.... dont make issues that you dont need in your life

Love the last bit man its great advice for everyone to take note of

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Originally Posted by makelowerwithdremel

Sorry, but Glocks are basically hand grenades waiting to take the whole arm off. Please post useful advice next time, thank you.

Shove a spare AR up there then.

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