Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025
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Version as at 23 September 2026
Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025
Public Act |
2025 No 15 |
|
Date of assent |
29 March 2025 |
|
Commencement |
see section 2 |
Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025: repealed, on 23 September 2026, pursuant to section 392 of the Arms Act 2026 (2026 No 47).
Note
The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.
Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.
This Act is administered by the Ministry of Justice.
Contents
The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:
1 Title
This Act is the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025.
2 Commencement
This Act comes into force on 29 June 2025.
Section 2: editorial change made by the PCO, on 24 April 2025, under sections 86(1) and 87(m) and (q) of the Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 58).
3 Principal Act
This Act amends the Arms Act 1983.
Part 1 Shooting clubs and shooting ranges
4 Section 2 amended (Interpretation)
(1)
In section 2(1), replace the definition of shooting club with:
shooting club means a pistol shooting club or non-pistol shooting club
(2)
In section 2(1), insert in their appropriate alphabetical order:
non-pistol shooting club has the meaning given in section 38A
non-pistol shooting range has the meaning given in section 38A
pistol shooting club has the meaning given in section 38A
pistol shooting range has the meaning given in section 38A
range operator has the meaning given in section 38A
shooting range means a pistol shooting range or a non-pistol shooting range
5 Part 6 replaced
Replace Part 6 with:
Part 6 Shooting clubs and shooting ranges
38A Interpretation
In this Part,—
application for approval means an application made under section 38D to have a pistol shooting club approved
application for certification means an application made under section 38S to have a pistol shooting range certified
non-pistol shooting club means a shooting club that is not a pistol shooting club
non-pistol shooting range means a shooting range at which pistols cannot be used
pistol shooting club means a shooting club that facilitates participation in shooting activities that include the use of pistols
pistol shooting range means a shooting range at which pistols can be used
range operator means the person who is operating, or proposing to operate, a shooting range
range standing orders, in relation to a shooting range, means a document that—
(a)
describes the design of the shooting range; and
(b)
sets out the operational detail, and conditions of use, of the shooting range
shooting activities—
(a)
means activities that are carried out using a firearm or an airgun for the purpose of shooting at inanimate targets (whether fixed or moving); but
(b)
excludes—
(i)
paintball shooting; and
(ii)
airsoft shooting
shooting club means a voluntary association of people who—
(a)
act in accordance with a set of written rules; and
(b)
participate in, or intend to participate in, shooting activities on a regular basis
shooting event, in relation to a temporary non-pistol shooting range, means an event that—
(a)
includes shooting activities; and
(b)
lasts for not more than 4 days, with the first day being the day the event commences for participants (who are not event organisers or staff)
shooting range—
(a)
means a facility (whether indoor or outdoor), or a designated area of land, used by a shooting club or members of the public for the primary purpose of carrying out shooting activities; and
(b)
includes any defence area (as that term is defined in section 2(1) of the Defence Act 1990) used by a shooting club
temporary non-pistol shooting range means a non-pistol shooting range that is set up temporarily for no more than 2 shooting events in any calendar year.
Pistol shooting clubs
38B Pistol shooting club must have certificate of approval
(1)
A pistol shooting club must hold a certificate of approval issued by the Commissioner.
(2)
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, establishes or operates a pistol shooting club without the club holding a certificate of approval.
38C Pistol shooting club must be incorporated society
A pistol shooting club may not hold a certificate of approval under section 38G unless the club is registered as an incorporated society under—
(a)
the Incorporated Societies Act 1908; or
(b)
the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.
38D Application for certificate of approval in respect of pistol shooting club
(1)
An application for a certificate of approval in respect of a pistol shooting club may be made only by a person who is authorised by the pistol shooting club to make the application on its behalf.
(2)
An application for approval must be made to the Commissioner in the manner prescribed by regulations made under this Act, and must—
(a)
be in a form approved by the Commissioner; and
(b)
be supported by any information and documents that are prescribed; and
(c)
be accompanied by the prescribed application fee (if any).
38E Commissioner may make inquiries and request further information
On receipt of an application for approval, the Commissioner—
(a)
may make whatever inquiries the Commissioner considers necessary to determine whether the application should be granted; and
(b)
may request the applicant to provide any further information or documents that the Commissioner considers necessary to determine whether the application should be granted.
38F Decision on application for certificate of approval
The Commissioner may grant an application for approval if the Commissioner is satisfied that the pistol shooting club—
(a)
will be using a certified pistol shooting range for its shooting activities; and
(b)
has rules relating to the safe operation of firearms and promotes the safe possession and use of firearms; and
(c)
is appropriately administered; and
(d)
is able to safely manage its shooting activities; and
(e)
has proper storage for any firearm or ammunition held at any of the club’s premises or at a certified pistol shooting range used by the club.
38G Issue of certificate of approval
(1)
If the Commissioner grants an application for approval, the Commissioner must issue to the pistol shooting club a certificate of approval.
(2)
A certificate of approval may be granted subject to any conditions that the Commissioner considers appropriate.
38H Duration of certificate of approval
A certificate of approval granted to a pistol shooting club continues until—
(a)
surrendered by the pistol shooting club; or
(b)
cancelled by the Commissioner.
38I Cancellation of certificate of approval
(1)
The Commissioner must cancel a pistol shooting club’s certificate of approval if the Commissioner is satisfied that—
(a)
the pistol shooting club is not using a certified pistol shooting range for its shooting activities; or
(b)
the pistol shooting club is no longer carrying on its operations; or
(c)
the pistol shooting club no longer meets the requirements in section 38C or 38F; or
(d)
the pistol shooting club has failed to comply with an improvement notice issued under section 38XL.
(2)
The Commissioner may cancel a shooting club’s certificate of approval if the Commissioner is satisfied that—
(a)
the shooting club has failed to comply with any conditions to which its certificate of approval is subject; or
(b)
the shooting club has failed to report any serious firearms-related safety incident; or
(c)
any activity of the shooting club has raised any reasonable concern about the safety of its members or the public.
38J Annual reports
(1)
A pistol shooting club must, not later than 2 months after the close of each financial year, provide to the Commissioner an annual report on its operations for that year.
(2)
An annual report must include the particulars prescribed in regulations made under this Act.
(3)
In this section, financial year means a period of 12 months commencing on 1 July in each year and ending on 30 June in the following year.
Non-pistol shooting clubs
38K Non-pistol shooting club must be enrolled
(1)
A non-pistol shooting club must be enrolled.
(2)
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, establishes or operates a non-pistol shooting club without the club being enrolled.
38L Non-pistol shooting club must be incorporated society in certain circumstances
(1)
If firearms are sold to persons on behalf of a non-pistol shooting club, the club may not be enrolled under section 38O unless it is registered as an incorporated society under—
(a)
the Incorporated Societies Act 1908; or
(b)
the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.
(2)
If ammunition is sold to persons on behalf of a non-pistol shooting club, the club may not be enrolled under section 38O unless it is registered as an incorporated society under—
(a)
the Incorporated Societies Act 1908; or
(b)
the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.
(3)
However, subsection (2) does not apply if ammunition is sold to persons on behalf of the non-pistol shooting club for use on the day of sale at a club shooting activity and the ammunition is—
(a)
used by the persons at the club shooting activity; or
(b)
stored on the premises of the club after the club shooting activity.
38M Application for enrolment in respect of non-pistol shooting club
(1)
An application for enrolment in respect of a non-pistol shooting club must be made,—
(a)
if the non-pistol shooting club is a body corporate, by a person who is authorised to make the application; or
(b)
if the non-pistol shooting club is not a body corporate, by the club’s representative who is authorised by the club to make the application.
(2)
An application for enrolment must be made to the Commissioner in the manner prescribed by regulations made under this Act, and must—
(a)
be in a form approved by the Commissioner; and
(b)
be supported by any information and documents that are prescribed; and
(c)
be accompanied by the prescribed application fee (if any).
38N Commissioner may make inquiries and request further information
On receipt of an application for enrolment from a non-pistol shooting club, the Commissioner may, for the purpose of determining whether the information provided is complete and correct,—
(a)
make whatever inquiries the Commissioner considers necessary; and
(b)
request the applicant to provide any further information or documents.
38O Confirmation of enrolment
If the Commissioner is satisfied that an application is made in accordance with section 38M and that the information provided is complete and correct, the Commissioner must—
(a)
place the name and details of the non-pistol shooting club on the roll of non-pistol shooting clubs; and
(b)
notify the non-pistol shooting club that it is enrolled and of the date of its enrolment.
38P Commissioner to keep roll of non-pistol shooting clubs
The Commissioner must establish and maintain a roll of non-pistol shooting clubs.
38Q Cancellation of enrolment
The Commissioner must cancel a non-pistol shooting club’s enrolment if—
(a)
the non-pistol shooting club requests the cancellation of its enrolment; or
(b)
the Commissioner is satisfied that the club is no longer carrying on its operations.
Pistol shooting ranges
38R Pistol shooting ranges must be certified
(1)
A person may not operate a pistol shooting range unless the shooting range is a certified pistol shooting range.
(2)
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1).
38S Application for certification of pistol shooting range
(1)
An application for certification of a pistol shooting range may be made,—
(a)
if the person who is proposing to operate the range is an individual, by that individual; or
(b)
if the person who is proposing to operate the range is a body corporate, by a person who is authorised to make the application; or
(c)
if the person who is proposing to operate the range is not an individual or a body corporate, by the person’s representative who is authorised by the person to make the application.
(2)
An application for certification must be made to the Commissioner in the manner prescribed by regulations made under this Act, and must—
(a)
be in a form approved by the Commissioner; and
(b)
be supported by any information and documents that are prescribed; and
(c)
be accompanied by the prescribed application fee (if any).
38T Commissioner may make inquiries and request further information
On receipt of an application for certification, the Commissioner may—
(a)
make whatever inquiries the Commissioner considers necessary to determine whether the application should be granted; and
(b)
request the applicant to provide any further information or documents that the Commissioner considers necessary to determine whether the application should be granted.
38U Decision on application to have pistol shooting range certified
The Commissioner may grant an application for certification if the Commissioner is satisfied that—
(a)
the pistol shooting range meets all required safety standards published by the Commissioner; and
(b)
all necessary territorial authority and regional council consents to operate the pistol shooting range have been obtained.
38V Grant of certification
If the Commissioner grants an application for certification in respect of a pistol shooting range, the Commissioner must issue a certificate to the applicant.
38W Certification granted subject to condition
(1)
A certificate granted under section 38V is subject to the condition that, at all times while the certified pistol shooting range is in use, an officer is on duty who—
(a)
holds a firearms licence; and
(b)
is appropriately trained in pistol shooting range safety management.
(2)
Certification granted under section 38V may be made subject to any other conditions that the Commissioner considers appropriate, which may include conditions relating to—
(a)
maintenance of the shooting range:
(b)
public access to the shooting range:
(c)
restrictions on the types of firearms and ammunition that may be used at the shooting range:
(d)
competitions that may be conducted at the shooting range.
(3)
The operator of a certified pistol shooting range must request the Commissioner to review the certification of the range if it is intended that the operation of the range will depart from the conditions imposed by or under this section.
38X Duration of certification
A certificate issued in respect of a pistol shooting range remains in force for 5 years after the date on which it is issued unless the certificate is sooner surrendered or cancelled.
38XA Cancellation of certification
The Commissioner may cancel certification in respect of a pistol shooting range if the Commissioner is satisfied that—
(a)
the shooting range is no longer being operated as a pistol shooting range; or
(b)
the shooting range is not being operated with proper regard to individual or public safety; or
(c)
the range operator is not complying with any conditions imposed under section 38W; or
(d)
having regard to the matters specified in section 38U, it is no longer appropriate that the shooting range be certified; or
(e)
the range operator has failed to comply with an improvement notice issued under section 38XL.
38XB Renewal of certification
(1)
A certificate granted under section 38V may be renewed on 1 or more occasions.
(2)
Sections 38S to 38XA apply to an application for renewal of certification as if the application were an application for certification, unless subsection (4) applies.
(3)
A renewed certificate is to be treated for all purposes as a new certification granted under section 38V.
(4)
If the circumstances of the shooting range have not changed significantly for 5 years, the applicant may initiate the renewal of the certification by using a form approved by the Commissioner instead of applying under section 38S.
Non-pistol shooting ranges
38XC Non-pistol shooting ranges that are not temporary non-pistol shooting ranges must be enrolled
(1)
A person may not operate a non-pistol shooting range (that is not a temporary non-pistol shooting range) unless the shooting range is enrolled.
(2)
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1).
38XD Temporary non-pistol shooting ranges must be notified to Commissioner
(1)
The following persons may operate a temporary non-pistol shooting range:
(a)
a shooting club:
(b)
a member of a shooting club:
(c)
an operator of—
(i)
a pistol shooting range that is certified under section 38V; or
(ii)
a non-pistol shooting range that is enrolled under section 38XH.
(2)
The operator of a temporary non-pistol shooting range must notify the Commissioner of the temporary non-pistol shooting range.
(3)
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (2).
38XE Application for enrolment of non-pistol shooting range
(1)
An application for the enrolment of a non-pistol shooting range must be made,—
(a)
if the person who is proposing to operate the range is an individual, by that individual; or
(b)
if the person who is proposing to operate the range is a body corporate, by a person who is authorised to make the application; or
(c)
if the person who is proposing to operate the range is not an individual or a body corporate, by the person’s representative who is authorised by the person to make the application.
(2)
An application for enrolment must be made to the Commissioner in the manner prescribed by regulations made under this Act, and must—
(a)
be in a form approved by the Commissioner; and
(b)
include a declaration declaring that—
(i)
the non-pistol shooting range has range standing orders that have been approved by the association the range is affiliated with or the Police; and
(ii)
all necessary territorial authority and regional council consents to operate the non-pistol shooting range have been obtained; and
(c)
be supported by any information and documents that are prescribed; and
(d)
be accompanied by the prescribed application fee (if any).
38XF Commissioner may make inquiries and request further information
On receipt of an application from an applicant for the enrolment of a non-pistol shooting range, the Commissioner may, for the purpose of determining whether the information is complete and correct,—
(a)
make whatever inquiries the Commissioner considers necessary; and
(b)
request the applicant to provide any further information or documents.
38XG Decision on application to have non-pistol shooting range enrolled
The Commissioner must grant an application for the enrolment of a non-pistol shooting range if the Commissioner is satisfied that—
(a)
the application is made in accordance with section 38XE; and
(b)
all information provided in the application, and any information provided in response to a request under section 38XF(b), is complete and correct.
38XH Confirmation of enrolment
If the Commissioner grants an application for the enrolment of a non-pistol shooting range, the Commissioner must—
(a)
place the name and details of the non-pistol shooting range on the roll of non-pistol shooting ranges; and
(b)
notify the applicant that the non-pistol shooting range is enrolled and of the date of the enrolment.
38XI Commissioner to keep roll of non-pistol shooting ranges
The Commissioner must establish and maintain a roll of non-pistol shooting ranges.
38XJ Cancellation of enrolment
The Commissioner may cancel a non-pistol shooting range’s enrolment if—
(a)
the range operator requests the cancellation of the enrolment of the range; or
(b)
the Commissioner is satisfied that the range is no longer being operated as a non-pistol shooting range; or
(c)
the range is not being operated with proper regard to individual or public safety; or
(d)
the range operator has failed to comply with an improvement notice issued under section 38XL.
Compliance
38XK Inspections of shooting clubs and shooting ranges
(1)
For the purpose of ensuring that a shooting club or shooting range is operated in accordance with this Act, a person who is a member of the Police and authorised in writing by the Commissioner may—
(a)
enter and inspect—
(i)
any shooting range (including any shooting club that is part of the range); and
(ii)
any place where the shooting club stores firearms or ammunition:
(b)
inspect, print, or copy documents that the person believes on reasonable grounds to be those of the shooting club or shooting range:
(c)
remove any hard copy documents that the person believes on reasonable grounds to be those of the shooting club or shooting range.
(2)
Unless there is a change of circumstances that may affect its safety, an inspection under subsection (1) may only be undertaken,—
(a)
in respect of a pistol shooting range, when the Commissioner is considering an application for—
(i)
certification; or
(ii)
renewal of its certification:
(b)
in respect of a non-pistol shooting range, when the Commissioner is considering an application for enrolment, and then at intervals of not less than 5 years.
(3)
A member of the Police must give at least 7 days’ notice of their intention to enter and inspect a venue of a shooting club or shooting range.
(4)
The provisions of Part 4 of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 (apart from subpart 3) apply.
38XL Improvement notices
(1)
This section applies if a member of the Police reasonably believes that—
(a)
a pistol shooting club is failing, is likely to fail, or has failed to comply with any conditions to which its certificate of approval is subject; or
(b)
a pistol shooting range is failing, is likely to fail, or has failed to comply with the condition to which its certification is subject; or
(c)
a shooting club or shooting range is contravening, is likely to contravene, or has contravened a provision of this Act or regulations made under this Act.
(2)
If this section applies, the member of the Police may issue an improvement notice to the shooting club or the range operator requiring the shooting club or range operator, within a reasonable period of time specified in the notice, to—
(a)
remedy the non-compliance or contravention; or
(b)
prevent a likely non-compliance or contravention from occurring.
38XM Temporary suspension of pistol shooting club’s operations for non-compliance with improvement notice
(1)
A member of the Police may, by notice in writing to a pistol shooting club, temporarily suspend the operations of the shooting club if the member is satisfied that the shooting club has failed to comply with an improvement notice issued under section 38XL.
(2)
A notice of temporary suspension must state—
(a)
the ground on which the notice is given; and
(b)
the date on which the suspension begins; and
(c)
that the suspension is to enable the Police to consider cancelling the pistol shooting club’s certificate of approval; and
(d)
that the suspension lasts until notice of the decision as to whether to cancel the certificate of approval is given to the pistol shooting club, but, if the notice is not given within 90 days after the suspension takes effect, the suspension ends with the close of that 90-day period.
38XN Temporary suspension of shooting range’s operations for non-compliance with improvement notice
(1)
A member of the Police may, by notice in writing to the range operator, temporarily suspend the operations of the shooting range if the member is satisfied that the shooting range has failed to comply with an improvement notice issued under section 38XL.
(2)
A notice of temporary suspension must state—
(a)
the ground on which the notice is given; and
(b)
the date on which the suspension begins.
(3)
In the case of a notice of temporary suspension issued to a pistol shooting range, the notice must also state—
(a)
that the suspension is to enable the Police to consider cancelling the shooting range’s certification on that ground; and
(b)
that the suspension lasts until notice of the decision as to whether to cancel the certification is given to the range operator, but, if the notice is not given within 90 days after the suspension takes effect, the suspension ends with the close of that 90-day period.
6 Section 62B amended (Right of appeal to District Court)
(1)
Replace section 62B(1)(a)(ix) and (x) with:
(ix)
a certificate of approval for a pistol shooting club under section 38G:
(x)
certification of a shooting range under section 38V:
(xi)
enrolment of a non-pistol shooting club under section 38O:
(xii)
enrolment of a non-pistol shooting range under section 38XH:
(2)
Replace section 62B(1)(b)(viii) and (ix) with:
(viii)
a certificate of approval for a pistol shooting club:
(ix)
certification of a shooting range:
(x)
enrolment of a non-pistol shooting club:
(xi)
enrolment of a non-pistol shooting range:
7 Section 74 amended (Regulations)
(1)
In regulation 74(1)(gb), before “shooting clubs”
, insert “pistol”
.
(2)
Replace section 74(1)(gc) and (gd) with:
(gc)
prescribing the information and documents required to support an application under section 38D for approval of a pistol shooting club:
(gd)
prescribing the information and documents required to support an application under section 38M for enrolment of a non-pistol shooting club:
(ge)
prescribing the information and documents required to support an application under section 38S for certification of a pistol shooting range, including the types of firearms and ammunition for which the range is certified:
(gf)
prescribing the information and documents required to support an application under section 38XE for enrolment of a non-pistol shooting range, including the types of firearms and ammunition for which the range is enrolled:
8 Section 80 amended (Activities that may be subject to cost recovery)
Replace section 80(2)(a)(viii) with:
(viii)
processing any application for approval of a pistol shooting club or certification of a pistol shooting range:
(viiia)
processing any application for enrolment of a non-pistol shooting club or non-pistol shooting range:
9 Section 87 amended (Guidance notices)
Replace section 87(1)(d) with:
(d)
the approval of any pistol shooting club or certification of any pistol shooting range:
(da)
the enrolment of any non-pistol shooting club or non-pistol shooting range:
10 Schedule 1 amended
In Schedule 1,—
(a)
insert the Part set out in the Schedule of this Act as the last Part; and
(b)
make all necessary consequential amendments.
Part 2 Other matters
11 Section 2 amended (Interpretation)
In section 2(1), insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:
responsible Minister means the Minister of the Crown who, under the authority of any warrant or with the authority of the Prime Minister, is responsible for the administration of this Act
Regulation-making powers
12 Section 74 amended (Regulations)
(1)
Replace section 74(3) and (4) with:
(3)
Regulations under subsection (1)(pa) may be made only on the recommendation of the responsible Minister after being satisfied that the Secretary for Justice has—
(a)
consulted the Privacy Commissioner about the proposed regulations; and
(b)
complied with the consultation requirements in subsection (4).
(4)
Regulations may be made under this section only on the recommendation of the responsible Minister after being satisfied that the Secretary for Justice has—
(a)
consulted the Police; and
(b)
done everything reasonable to consult other persons or organisations (or representatives of those organisations) that appear to the Secretary for Justice to be affected or likely to be affected by the regulations, unless the responsible Minister is satisfied that in the circumstances it was not practicable to consult to that extent or to carry out any consultation.
(2)
In section 74(5), replace “Minister”
with “responsible Minister”
.
13 Section 74A amended (Order in Council relating to definitions of prohibited firearm and prohibited magazine, and declaring prohibited ammunition)
In section 74A(1), replace “Minister of Police”
with “responsible Minister after being satisfied that the Secretary for Justice has consulted with the New Zealand Police”
.
14 Section 74D amended (Regulations providing for transitional matters relating to Arms Legislation Act 2020)
In section 74D(1), replace “Minister of Police”
with “responsible Minister”
.
Cost recovery
15 Section 80 amended (Activities that may be subject to cost recovery)
In section 80(1), replace “Minister of Police”
with “responsible Minister”
.
16 Section 81 amended (Criteria for cost recovery)
(1)
In section 81, replace “Minister of Police”
with “responsible Minister”
.
(2)
In section 81, replace “the Minister”
with “the responsible Minister”
.
17 Section 82 amended (Consultation)
Replace section 82(1) with:
(1)
The responsible Minister may recommend that regulations be made under section 86 only if the responsible Minister is satisfied that the Secretary for Justice has done everything reasonable to consult the persons or organisations (or representatives of those organisations) that appear to the Secretary for Justice to be affected or likely to be affected by the fee or charge.
18 Section 86 amended (Regulations relating to cost recovery)
In section 86(1), replace “Minister of Police”
with “responsible Minister”
.
Arms Advisory Group
19 Section 88 amended (Arms Advisory Group)
(1)
In section 88(1), replace “Minister of Police”
with “responsible Minister”
.
(2)
In section 88(2), replace “Minister”
with “responsible Minister”
.
20 Section 89 amended (Operations of advisory group)
(1)
In section 89(3), replace “Minister of Police”
with “responsible Minister”
.
(2)
In section 89(4), replace “Commissioner”
with “Secretary for Justice”
.
21 Section 90 amended (Provisions relating to appointment of members of advisory group)
In section 90(2) and (4), replace “Minister of Police”
with “responsible Minister”
.
22 Section 91 amended (Removal of members of advisory group)
In section 91(1), replace “Minister of Police”
with “responsible Minister”
.
Review of operation of Act
23 Section 96 amended (Review of this Act)
In section 96(1), replace “Minister of Police”
with “responsible Minister”
.
Schedule New Part 4 of Schedule 1 inserted
Part 4 Provisions relating to Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025
22 Interpretation
In this Part,—
amendment Act means the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025
commencement date means the date on which this Part comes into force.
23 Pistol shooting clubs approved before commencement date
(1)
A pistol shooting club that, immediately before the commencement date, held a certificate of approval issued under section 38G (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as holding a certificate of approval issued under section 38G.
(2)
A pistol shooting club that under subclause (1) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as holding a certificate of approval issued under section 38G—
(a)
continues to be subject to any improvement notice issued to the club under section 38V (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) as if the improvement notice had been issued under section 38XL; and
(b)
continues to be subject to any notice of temporary suspension issued to the club under section 38W (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) as if the notice of suspension had been issued under section 38XM.
24 Non-pistol shooting clubs approved before commencement date
(1)
A non-pistol shooting club that, immediately before the commencement date, held a certificate of approval issued under section 38G (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as enrolled under section 38O.
(2)
A non-pistol shooting club that under subclause (1) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as enrolled—
(a)
continues to be subject to any improvement notice issued to the club under section 38V (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) as if the improvement notice had been issued under section 38XL; and
(b)
continues to be subject to any notice of temporary suspension issued to the club under section 38W (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act).
25 Pistol shooting ranges certified before commencement date
(1)
A pistol shooting range that, immediately before the commencement date, held a certificate issued under section 38P (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as holding a certificate issued under section 38V.
(2)
A pistol shooting range that under subclause (1) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as holding a certificate issued under section 38V continues to be subject to any improvement notice issued to the range under section 38V (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act).
26 Non-pistol shooting ranges certified before commencement date
(1)
A non-pistol shooting range that, immediately before the commencement date, was certified by the Commissioner under section 38P (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as enrolled under section 38XH.
(2)
A non-pistol shooting range that under subclause (1) is to be treated on and after the commencement date as enrolled—
(a)
may be inspected under section 38XK, and, for that purpose, section 38XK(2)(b) must be read as providing for an inspection to be undertaken,—
(i)
if the range has not been inspected since it was certified by the Commissioner, within 5 years after the date of its certification, and then at subsequent intervals of not less than 5 years:
(ii)
if the range has been inspected since it was certified by the Commissioner, not less than 5 years after the date of that inspection, and then at subsequent intervals of not less than 5 years; and
(b)
continues to be subject to any improvement notice issued to the range under section 38V (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) as if the improvement notice had been issued under section 38XL; and
(c)
continues to be subject to any notice of temporary suspension issued to the range under section 38X (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act) as if the notice of suspension had been issued under section 38XN.
27 Non-pistol shooting ranges treated as certified before commencement date
(1)
This clause applies to a non-pistol shooting range that—
(a)
before 23 June 2023 had, in reliance on clause 13(3) of this schedule, made an application for certification under section 38M (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act); and
(b)
immediately before the commencement date, was treated under clause 13(4) of this schedule as if it had been issued with a certificate under section 38P (as it read immediately before its replacement by section 5 of the amendment Act).
(2)
The non-pistol shooting range is to be treated as enrolled under section 38XH for the period—
(a)
commencing on the commencement date; and
(b)
ending when the application made by the non-pistol shooting range under clause 13(3) of this schedule is decided.
28 Applications pending on commencement date
(1)
An application by a pistol shooting club for a certificate of approval made but not determined before the commencement date must be treated on and after that date as an application made under section 38D.
(2)
An application by a non-pistol shooting club for a certificate of approval made but not determined before the commencement date must be treated on and after that date as an application for enrolment under section 38M.
(3)
An application by a pistol shooting range for certification made but not determined before the commencement date must be treated on and after that date as an application for certification under section 38S.
(4)
An application by a non-pistol shooting range for certification made but not determined before the commencement date must be treated on and after that date as an application for enrolment under section 38XE.
Notes
1 General
This is a consolidation of the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 that incorporates the amendments made to the legislation so that it shows the law as at its stated date.
2 Legal status
A consolidation is taken to correctly state, as at its stated date, the law enacted or made by the legislation consolidated and by the amendments. This presumption applies unless the contrary is shown.
Section 78 of the Legislation Act 2019 provides that this consolidation, published as an electronic version, is an official version. A printed version of legislation that is produced directly from this official electronic version is also an official version.
3 Editorial and format changes
The Parliamentary Counsel Office makes editorial and format changes to consolidations using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019. See also PCO editorial conventions for consolidations.
4 Amendments incorporated in this consolidation
Arms Act 2026 (2026 No 47): section 392
Versions
Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025
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