The closing date for submissions is Wednesday, 03 April 2019

Make your submission on the bill by 6.00pm on Thursday 4 April 2019.

Due to the volume of submissions the select committee is receiving and the timeframe for considering this bill, the committee is only asking for written submissions (over 3000 submission have already been received). The committee will be hearing from people on an invitation only basis.

The bill seeks to extend the existing restrictions on military-style semi-automatic firearms (MSSAa) to ban most semi-automatic firearms and some shotguns, as well as magazines and parts that can be used to assemble semi-automatic firearms.

Some small-calibre rimfire semi-automatic firearms and lesser-capacity shotguns are excluded from the ban. The permitted firearms are ones commonly used in the farming, hunting, and recreational communities, and have a limited magazine capacity.

The Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill would:

prevent the general population of New Zealand from importing, selling, supplying, or possessing most semi-automatic firearms (other than pistols)

ban pump action shotguns with more than a five shot capacity

ban semi-automatic shotguns with a capacity to hold a detachable magazine, or with an internal magazine capable of holding more than five cartridges

exempt some semi-automatic firearms with limited ammunition capacity

provide exemptions for licensed dealers, authorised pest controllers, firearms collectors, museum curators, firearms used during dramatic productions, and police and defence force personnel

allow an amnesty for prohibited firearms, magazines, and parts that are surrendered to licensed dealers or the Police by 30 September 2019

introduce tougher penalties and some new offences. This bill is available online from the ‘Related links’ panel.

What do you need to know?

Submissions are publicly released and published to the Parliament website . Only your name or organisation’s name is required on a submission. Please keep your contact details separate, as if they are included on the submission they will become publicly available when the submission is released.

. Only your name or organisation’s name is required on a submission. Please keep your contact details separate, as if they are included on the submission they will become publicly available when the submission is released. If you wish to include information of a private or personal nature in your submission you should discuss this with the clerk of the committee before submitting.

Further guidance on making a submission can be found from the ‘How to make a submission’ link in the ‘Related documents’ panel.