Thread: Buy a Pistol in New Zealand or bring one in?

Hi, Have a bunch of pistols in Switzerland and want to shoot in New Zealand too.

Is it easy to buy a pistol from a dealer/private in New Zealand?

I am a New Zealander, no firearms license yet for NZ. Will apply when I get home. Swiss law states I do need a license or registration for the firearm.

I assume that you need to register it on arrival in NZ, or apply for a firearms license and get a weapons safe in NZ then import it?

Are there different types of license for pistols and rifles?

Lots of questions... Thanks!

Forget the first post, can't delete it and I will ask the police directly. but...

Pistols are super cheap in Switzerland, I wonder if the NZ import/tax process will be so high it would be better to buy one in NZ? Or without a dealers license or something you can't even bring in handguns.

Anyone here actually imported a handgun or is the norm to get it through a dealer?

Youre going to have to get a nz firearms license to start, then youre going to have to apply for your B cat which will allow you to own a pistol, assuming you are approved to obtain your B cat (im not sure how you will get on if you are a new resident to NZ..) you will need to be a member of a club and attend regular shoots, you wont be allowed to possess a pistol outside of the pistol range untill you have completed a probationary period (12mnths? I could be wrong..) and this is all before you even think about trying to import a pistol

You could see if the armourers for the pistol club you intend to join will be able to put it on their license.

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NZ has some some strange laws around guns, and drivers licences, when it comes to people of other Nationalities. A letter from any kind of firearms authority, in your own country, has Police-cred here...you sort-of have more rights than we do (WTF!) If you can get something from Switzerland, stating you own hand-guns there, and are a fit and proper person,blah blah ,it will Definitely smooth the way here, and may even fast-track the process. People from places where they dont need firearms licences, when visiting NZ, with such a letter, can get a temporary "legit" licence for hunting here...again, WTF!...and "kids" from o/seas,(visitors) arrive here with No driving restrictions. But..if you arrive in an 'unofficial-boat', from a country that We and our Allies are "Liberating", you're screwed..no hand-gun...no hunting...no licence..no-want-you..Unless !... you are in an Aussie-Concentration-Camp already.... but then, "They"..wont let you go...So have fun..let us know

Originally Posted by reload

Forget the first post, can't delete it and I will ask the police directly. but...

Pistols are super cheap in Switzerland, I wonder if the NZ import/tax process will be so high it would be better to buy one in NZ? Or without a dealers license or something you can't even bring in handguns.

Anyone here actually imported a handgun or is the norm to get it through a dealer?

Norm to go through a dealer, but mainly because export fees make it cost prohibitive for small numbers of firearms (eg. export from the States is $250+).

Import permits are free. You would probably have to pay 15% GST and a $50 entry fee. You may be able to avoid GST depending on your situation https://www.customs.govt.nz/personal...ects-vehicles/

What are the fees/processes for exporting guns from Switzerland? I'd be keen for some cheap handguns.

Originally Posted by Banana

What are the fees/processes for exporting guns from Switzerland? I'd be keen for some cheap handguns.

So basically you need to get a permit to buy firearms. You get a document saying you are not a criminal, then apply to buy three firearms per request. You just have to write what ones you want e.g. pistol, shotgun, rifle. That's a basic overview.

You can't buy if you are from the Baltic states of Eastern Europe and some other countries, but us kiwis are fine to buy. I'm not sure about buying when you don't have a residency visa in Switzerland, I will have to look into that. My pistols are about 100-200$ cheaper in the US, even some the European made ones.

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

You could see if the armourers for the pistol club you intend to join will be able to put it on their license.

That may be the best option, I travel a lot and see you have to go all the time to shoot. That would be fine too, leave the pistol securely with them as it looks like you can only shoot at a club anyway.

A pistol is a very heavily regulated weapon in nz
Just because you have a firearms license doesn’t mean you can own a pistol
You need a Special firearms license ontop of your normal one
A normal (ACat) license allows you to only own a rifle
As long as its not a semi auto with a high capacity mag this is a restricted weapon also and requires an (e cat) or mssa military style semi automatic

Pistols require a (bcat) and can only be used on a range

It is a hassle to get and the hassle to keep
That’s why I’ve never bothered you have to be really keen to shoot a pistol to warrant it

Originally Posted by reload

So basically you need to get a permit to buy firearms. You get a document saying you are not a criminal, then apply to buy three firearms per request. You just have to write what ones you want e.g. pistol, shotgun, rifle. That's a basic overview.

You can't buy if you are from the Baltic states of Eastern Europe and some other countries, but us kiwis are fine to buy. I'm not sure about buying when you don't have a residency visa in Switzerland, I will have to look into that. My pistols are about 100-200$ cheaper in the US, even some the European made ones.

Just looking at a couple of Swiss gun store websites, looks like pistols are cheaper here.

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Most people don't get B cats because other people who also don't have B cats, lecture them about how hard it is to get a B cat.

You go to the range 12 times a year. It's really not that hard.

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Originally Posted by Banana

Most people don't get B cats because other people who also don't have B cats, lecture them about how hard it is to get a B cat.

You go to the range 12 times a year. It's really not that hard.

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Agreed, a few hours, on 12 days of 365 isn't that hard to fit in no matter how busy your life is.

Originally Posted by Ozzy

Agreed, a few hours, on 12 days of 365 isn't that hard to fit in no matter how busy your life is.

Depends. Probably the cheapest range to do pistols in Auckland is weekend only. And only one shoot a month normally.

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Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Depends. Probably the cheapest range to do pistols in Auckland is weekend only. And only one shoot a month normally.

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That's what happens when you go for the cheapest.

Isn't there that new one that you can shoot everyday? Auckland Shooting Club?

Originally Posted by Banana

Most people don't get B cats because other people who also don't have B cats, lecture them about how hard it is to get a B cat.

You go to the range 12 times a year. It's really not that hard.

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It's just the initial drama like getting the safe, having the interview for the endorsement, stuff like that that's a pain. However once all your ducks are in a row, it's not much drama. If you live a long way from your nearest club, or have to work every weekend, then 12 days a year becomes more tricky.