Kiwi Airgunners Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > New to airguns? > Tips and things to look out for
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - New airgun import laws?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

New airgun import laws?

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
Jaydinah View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 19 Feb 2020
Location: Canterbury
Status: Offline
Posts: 5
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jaydinah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: New airgun import laws?
    Posted: 19 Feb 2020 at 1:47am
I've had a cheap simple air rifle for a while just for plinking but wanted to step it up to something abit more fun. Following the new firearms laws does anyone know if its now legal to purchase an airgun with the traits of a 'MSSA'. As far as I've been able to read there's no longer such a thing but the rules regarding airguns tend to be overlooked or not touched on whatsoever. Anyone have any idea?
Back to Top
Pauly5 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 10 Mar 2013
Location: Titahi Bay
Status: Offline
Posts: 1148
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pauly5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Feb 2020 at 7:28am
I must admit I don't know the rules very well. What gun in particular are you interested in? There are a couple on the market that have the "AR" style grip.
Back to Top
Jaydinah View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 19 Feb 2020
Location: Canterbury
Status: Offline
Posts: 5
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jaydinah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Feb 2020 at 8:17am
There's nothing particular I have in mind, just want some clarity on the rules. To use the most extreme example I can provide, the Sig MCX and Sig MPX (though not what I'm after) have multiple traits of a MSSA. What I'm wondering is if these rules are still applicable to airguns as they aren't now with firearms (like a 22. Rim fire)
Back to Top
dvlnme View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 30 May 2017
Location: taranaki
Status: Offline
Posts: 519
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dvlnme Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2020 at 8:45am
in our recent experience with our local cops who know us both very well personallyand have done for years,nz polices attitude towards airguns has changed a great deal recently,not only are they calling all airguns firearms but treating them as firearms as well,bear in mind these local country cops all have know us personally for many years,and have never had any issuses with either of us over firearms or airguns,the police position regarding importing airguns privately seems be if you can buy one here from a dealer you dont need to import one and wont issuse an import permit,this seems to apply with all airguns from softair thru to pcps,they dont like pcps and consider them to be just as dangerous as firearms these days,we have known all our local country cops personally for many years and until recently we allways got on very well with each other,but we have noticed their attitude towards us has changed significantly,they now allways go about in pairs and armed when visiting any property that has a firearms licence holder in residence around here,its allmost like they have become afraid of anyone holding a firearms licence now,why it should be this way is anyones guess,but seems be how its become now,this is the country out here there are airguns and firearms every where,but never used be a problem,but suddenly its become a problem for our local cops,most of whom we have all known personally for years and allways got on well with,there has definatly been a very significant change in attitude from our local cops and how they now interacte with us thats a little concerning to most of us locals thats certainly not winning hearts and minds or contributing to maintaining our once good relationship between us,our police are distancing themselves from the community and what had allways been a friendly cooperative relationship of mutual benifit is fast becoming one of them and us because to us it now appears as if the police no longer trust any of us and as they will soon find out thats not going to work out well for them as we are now begining to no longer trust the police,
 a bit off topic but still realevent i think,dont expert it to get any better trying to import an airgun as they have essentually  now banned private imports of airguns.
 cheers mike 
Back to Top
Pauly5 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 10 Mar 2013
Location: Titahi Bay
Status: Offline
Posts: 1148
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pauly5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2020 at 9:42am
When I imported an Edgun matador a while ago, they asked why I don't buy from a NZ shop, and why this one? So i'm sure they are stricter now.
There are also new pcps that look just like AR style guns available. Just google British shooting show videos on Youtube.

I would also expect that police monitor these forums/social media, which I don't have a problem with. 
Back to Top
Jaydinah View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 19 Feb 2020
Location: Canterbury
Status: Offline
Posts: 5
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jaydinah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2020 at 3:44pm
Yeah the issue I'm having is that before the laws changed after the Christchurch shootings, it was clear that if an airgun had the appearance of being a pistol or had any features that would make a firearm a MSSA (such as a pistol grip or magazine appearing to hold more than 10 rounds) it would be illegal to import without a permit. Since MSSA's are no longer a thing, you can now buy an AR style rimfire rifle on an Acat license (which you could not before). What I'm wondering is if this applies to airguns also. I've found no material from either police or customs and judging by the way the laws were hastily changed without much though I wouldn't be surprised if they really don't know?
Back to Top
Pauly5 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 10 Mar 2013
Location: Titahi Bay
Status: Offline
Posts: 1148
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pauly5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2020 at 4:13pm
Just look at the FX Dreamline. 18 shot mag, tactical style grip. This can be purchased in NZ. I think it is probably easier to say no, than decide otherwise. Look at all the airsoft guns available.

Give it a go, it's not illegal to fill out forms, go meet your firearms officer, contact customs, just make sure you get names and emails, and have a valid reason for buying that gun. I was fortunate, because I do pest control, but did say to the officer that the gun I was getting, wasn't available off the shelf in NZ, but did have a service agent here. I tried to come across as a responsible buyer.  
Back to Top
Jaydinah View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 19 Feb 2020
Location: Canterbury
Status: Offline
Posts: 5
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jaydinah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2020 at 4:26pm
Yeah I probably won't go through all the trouble as I was just considering a co2 rifle or pistol for plinking and a bit of fun. There doesn't seem to be anywhere in Canterbury anymore that sells them? I've got a more powerful break barrel rifle that does the job for birds and mice when it's nessicary. Thanks for the insight though 👍
Back to Top
Pauly5 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 10 Mar 2013
Location: Titahi Bay
Status: Offline
Posts: 1148
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pauly5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2020 at 11:08pm
Have you tried Youngs airguns? they will send guns. There's also Airguns NZ, David is good to deal with.
Back to Top
dvlnme View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 30 May 2017
Location: taranaki
Status: Offline
Posts: 519
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dvlnme Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2020 at 6:13am
i never would have believed our gun laws would end up being worse than the UK but i was proved so wrong on that one,i am now jealous of how good the poms have got it today and considering how bad it is in the UK ,we have it worse and its only going to get evan worse here,they are making things up as they go along here now,getting an import permit for any airgun depends very much on the attitude of who you are dealing with,not allways what the laws states,getting an import permit now is like buying a lottery ticket,the whole system is a total shambles,but thats bout par for the course with this disfunctional government and nz police these days,neither have a clue what they are doing on this and most other things as well.
 cheers mike
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 10.14
Copyright ©2001-2012 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.031 seconds.