The purposes of this Act are to—

The regulatory regime established by this Act to achieve those purposes reflects the following principles:

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

For the purposes of the definition of restricted airgun in subsection (1), an airgun can have the appearance of a pistol, restricted weapon, prohibited firearm, or firearm capable of full automatic fire without having the appearance of any particular model of pistol, restricted weapon, prohibited firearm, or firearm capable of full automatic fire.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, prohibited firearm—

In subsection (1)(a)(i)(A), specified semi-automatic firearm means a semi-automatic firearm—

For the purposes of subsection (1)(a)(i)(D), the person is a person who—

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, prohibited magazine,—

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, prohibited part means—

In this Act, prohibited ammunition means any ammunition declared by the Governor-General by Order in Council made under section 74A to be prohibited ammunition for the purposes of this Act.

Subject to subsections (2) and (3), this Act binds the Crown.

Nothing in this Act renders unlawful the carriage or possession of arms items, ammunition, or explosives—

Nothing in this Act renders unlawful—

Nothing in this Act makes unlawful the importation, carriage, or possession of any firearm or other item regulated by or under this Act by any person who is a visiting law enforcement officer from another country and is authorised by the Commissioner to import the firearm or other item into New Zealand or to carry or possess the firearm or other item while in New Zealand.

The following requirements of this Act do not apply in relation to any arms items, ammunition, or explosives, or other items regulated by or under this Act that are owned by the Crown, except to the extent provided by regulations made under section 74:

Except with the leave of the Attorney-General, no prosecution for any of the following offences may be commenced or continued against any constable in respect of any act they commit at a time or during a period when they are acting as an undercover officer:

In subsection (6), undercover officer—

A certificate signed by the Commissioner to the effect that, at any specified time or during any specified period, the constable named in the certificate was acting as an undercover officer is, for the purposes of subsection (6), conclusive evidence of that fact.

The transitional, savings, and related provisions set out in Schedule 1 have effect according to their terms.

For the purposes of this Act, the Governor-General may from time to time, by Order in Council, declare—

Any Order in Council made under this section may relate to any weapon or airgun specified by its name or trade name, or to any class of weapons or airguns identified by a description of that class.

An order under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

Only the following persons may apply to import, sell, supply, possess, or use a prohibited item in accordance with the provisions of this Act and in their capacity as—

A person who before 12 April 2019 was in the business of manufacturing prohibited parts for the purposes of permitted supply is an exempt person in their capacity as a manufacturing business if the person continues, for the purposes of permitted supply, to manufacture prohibited parts.

A person who before 12 April 2019 was in the business of permitted supply is an exempt person in their capacity as a permitted supply business if the person continues, for the purposes of carrying out permitted supply, to use prohibited items to test and demonstrate prohibited parts.

A person employed or engaged by a person referred to in subsection (1A) or (1B) is an exempt person for the purpose of carrying out their duties in accordance with their contract of employment or engagement.

In subsection (1)(f) and (g), specified Act means—

In this section, permitted supply means—

A person other than a body corporate must not carry on any of the following activities in relation to a class of arms items without a dealer’s licence that authorises the person to carry on the activity in relation to that class of arms items:

A body corporate must not carry on any of the activities specified in subsection (1) in relation to a class of arms items unless a senior manager of the body corporate has a dealer’s licence authorising the senior manager to carry on the activities in relation to the class of arms items on behalf of the body corporate.

Despite subsections (1) and (2), a dealer’s licence is not required for the following activities:

A dealer’s licence may not be issued for the carrying on of any of the activities specified in subsection (1) in relation to—

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes this section.

An application for a dealer’s licence must—

An application for a dealer’s licence to carry on or manage the dealer activity specified in section 5(1)(e) in relation to the manufacture of any prohibited items may only be made by a person described in section 4A(1A).

An application for a dealer’s licence to carry on the dealer activity specified in section 5(1)(f) may only be made by a person described in section 4A(1A).

A commissioned officer of Police may issue a dealer’s licence to an applicant authorising the applicant to carry on 1 or more dealer activities in respect of 1 or more classes of arms items if—

A dealer’s licence that is issued to an applicant for the carrying on of a dealer activity in respect of any of the following classes of arms items must bear an appropriate endorsement made under section 30 or 30B:

A dealer’s licence is personal to the person to whom it is issued, may not be transferred to any other person, and must specify—

However, if the person to whom a dealer’s licence is issued is a senior manager of a body corporate, the senior manager may, on behalf of the body corporate, carry out the dealer activities specified in the dealer’s licence in relation to the class or classes of arms items specified in the dealer’s licence.

This section applies if a holder of a dealer’s licence hires out firearms for use by a bona fide theatre company or society or cinematic or television film production company or video recording production company.

The use of those firearms by members of the company or society must be supervised by an on-site theatrical armourer.

In deciding whether, for the purposes of section 5B(1)(b)(i), an applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a dealer’s licence, the commissioned officer of Police—

Every dealer’s licence is issued subject to the conditions that any person who is in possession of a pistol, pistol carbine conversion kit, restricted weapon (other than an air pistol), prohibited firearm, or prohibited magazine by virtue of that licence must—

It is the duty of every member of the Police exercising any power conferred by subsection (1)—

Every dealer’s licence issued for the purpose of carrying on a dealer activity relating to the manufacture for sale, hire, lending, or other supply of any of the following classes of items is issued subject to the condition in subsection (2):

Before manufacturing any class of items referred to in subsection (1), a dealer must—

The Commissioner, before approving the manufacture of any class of items specified in subsection (1)(a), (b), or (c), must be satisfied that there are special reasons why the items that are proposed to be manufactured should be in New Zealand.

The Commissioner must, before approving the manufacture of air pistol carbine conversion kits, also be satisfied that the kits are for the personal use of a member of an airsoft or paintball club that is affiliated with a national airsoft or paintball organisation.

A dealer who breaches a condition that their dealer’s licence is subject to under section 6A or 6B may—

A dealer’s licence may be issued in respect of 1 place of business only, and that place of business must be specified in the licence.

Subsection (1) is subject to subsections (3) to (5).

A dealer may be issued with a dealer’s licence authorising the dealer to operate from more than 1 place of business if, at each of those places of business, there is a manager holding a dealer’s licence.

Any firearms, prohibited magazines, and restricted weapons in the possession of a dealer may be handled at any site in addition to the place of business specified in the dealer’s licence if the dealer hires out those items for use by a broadcaster, bona fide theatre company or society or cinematic or television film production company or video recording production company and—

A dealer may, on an occasional basis, carry on dealer activities from places additional to the place of business specified in their dealer’s licence if a condition to which their licence is subject permits them to do so.

For the purpose of subsection (4)(b), a dealer’s licence may be issued with a condition described in that provision and other conditions necessary to provide for the safe use and secure storage of the firearms concerned.

Notwithstanding anything in section 7, a dealer’s licence may, with the consent of a commissioned officer of Police, apply from time to time, for a period not exceeding 5 days at any one time, in respect of a place of business other than the place of business in respect of which the dealer’s licence was issued.

A commissioned officer of Police may give his or her consent under subsection (1) only if satisfied—

Any consent given under subsection (1) may be given subject to any conditions specified by the commissioned officer of Police.

A dealer’s licence comes into force on the date it is issued.

A dealer’s licence expires 12 months after the date it comes into force unless it is surrendered or revoked earlier.

A dealer’s licence may from time to time be renewed.

An application for renewal of a dealer’s licence must be made before the licence expires.

Sections 5A, 5B, and 6 to 8 apply to an application for renewal of a dealer’s licence as if the application were an application for a new dealer’s licence.

If an application for renewal of a dealer’s licence has been made but not determined before the date on which the licence would otherwise expire, the licence continues in force until the application is determined.

The renewal of a dealer’s licence takes effect from—

A dealer may at any time surrender their dealer’s licence to a member of the Police.

If a dealer’s licence expires or is surrendered,—

A dealer commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the dealer, without reasonable excuse, contravenes this section.

A dealer’s licence is immediately revoked if the holder’s firearms licence is revoked.

A dealer’s licence may be revoked at any time by the Commissioner.

A commissioned officer of Police may, by notice in writing to the holder of a dealer’s licence that is temporarily suspended under section 60A, revoke the licence if the commissioned officer of Police—

A commissioned officer of Police must give the holder written notice of a decision on whether to revoke a dealer’s licence temporarily suspended under section 60A promptly after the decision is made.

When a dealer’s licence is revoked,—

A dealer commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the dealer, without reasonable excuse, contravenes this section.

A licensed dealer may not take an arms item that is a prohibited firearm, prohibited magazine, pistol, restricted weapon, or pistol carbine conversion kit into their possession for the purpose of carrying on a dealer activity unless the licensed dealer—

A licensed dealer may not take a prohibited part into their possession for the purpose of carrying on a dealer activity unless the dealer obtains it—

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1) or (2).

Subsection (3) is subject to section 59A(1).

An employee of a licensed dealer must not assist with carrying on any dealer activity unless the employee holds a firearms licence.

If the employee’s duties include the carrying on of a dealer activity in respect of pistols, pistol carbine conversion kits, restricted weapons, prohibited firearms, or prohibited magazines, the employee’s firearms licence must also bear appropriate endorsements made under section 30 or 30B that authorise the employee to possess any such items in connection with their duties as an employee of the licensed dealer.

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes this section.

A licensed dealer must keep at the place of business referred to in their licence a book that records the particulars prescribed by regulations made under this Act relating to—

A licensed dealer who keeps their book under subsection (1) in hard copy form must retain the book for at least 10 years from the date of the last entry in the book.

A licensed dealer who keeps their book under subsection (1) electronically must retain each electronic record for at least 10 years from the date on which the record is entered.

Every licensed dealer shall at all times—

Despite subsection (1), a licensed dealer need not record particulars under that subsection if—

A licensed dealer commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the dealer, without reasonable excuse, contravenes this section.

Subsection (4) is subject to section 59A(2).

Any member of the Police may, on being authorised to do so by warrant under the hand of the Commissioner, seize and take possession of all or any arms items and ammunition in the possession of or under the control of a licensed dealer.

For the purpose of executing a warrant issued under subsection (1), the member of the Police authorised by that warrant may enter into or upon any land or building in or upon which any such arms items and ammunition may be, and in so doing may use such force as may be necessary.

It is the duty of everyone executing a warrant issued under subsection (1)—

Subject to section 14, all arms items and ammunition seized under this section may be detained by the Police for such period as the Commissioner thinks fit, or may, in the discretion of the Minister of Police, become the property of the Crown, free and discharged from all right, title, estate, or interest possessed in respect thereof by any other person.

The Minister of Finance must pay out of a Crown Bank Account compensation in respect of all arms items and ammunition seized under this section that have become the property of the Crown.

If a dealer’s licence has expired or has been surrendered or revoked, the dealer may, within 3 months or any longer period that the Commissioner may allow, sell, or otherwise dispose of, any arms item or ammunition in their possession or under their control at the date of the expiry, surrender, or revocation of their licence.

The sale or disposal of any arms item or ammunition must be to a person approved for the purpose by a commissioned officer of Police.

If a person’s dealer’s licence expires or is surrendered or revoked, the person may not—

If the person referred to in subsection (1) is a senior manager authorised to carry on dealer activities on behalf of a body corporate, the body corporate may not carry on any dealer activity at any place of business.

However,—

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year, or to a fine not exceeding $15,000, if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes this section.

A person must have a permit to bring or cause to be brought or sent into New Zealand any of the following items:

In subsection (1), New Zealand does not include the harbours and other territorial waters of New Zealand.

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year, or to a fine not exceeding $15,000, if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1)(a), (b), (c), (d), or (e).

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1)(f) or (g).

A person must not, without reasonable excuse, bring or cause to be brought or sent into New Zealand any prohibited ammunition that is not authorised or permitted expressly by or pursuant to this Act to be possessed.

In subsection (1), New Zealand does not include the harbours and other territorial waters of New Zealand.

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years if the person contravenes subsection (1).

A member of the Police to whom an application is made for the issue of a permit to import any item described in section 16(1)(a) to (g) may require the applicant to produce for examination and testing samples of any item of the kind referred to in the application that the member of the Police considers necessary.

A member of the Police, if satisfied of the matters in subsection (3), must grant an application for the issue of a permit to import any of the following items:

The matters referred to in subsection (2) are that—

The Commissioner may grant an application for the issue of a permit to import any of the following items:

The Commissioner may issue a permit under subsection (4) in respect of an item only if—

If an application for the issue of a permit is made under subsection (4)(c) in relation to a prohibited part that may be used by a licence holder on or with a non-prohibited firearm, the Commissioner—

A permit issued under this section is personal to the person to whom it is issued and may not be transferred to any other person.

A permit may in no case be issued under this section in respect of an anti-personnel mine or cluster munition.

A member of the Police to whom an application is made for the issue of a permit to import a pistol carbine conversion kit may require the applicant to produce for examination and testing samples of any pistol carbine conversion kit of the kind referred to in the application that the member of the Police considers necessary.

The Commissioner may grant an application for the issue of a permit to bring or cause to be brought or sent into New Zealand a pistol carbine conversion kit only if—

However, if an application is made by an applicant in the applicant’s capacity referred to in section 29(2)(b), (c), (d), or (e), the Commissioner may grant the application without being satisfied of the matters in subsection (2)(a)(ii) and (iii).

If the applicant has appointed a dealer to import a pistol carbine conversion kit as their agent, the dealer must hold—

Any permit issued under this section is personal to the person to whom it is issued and may not be transferred to any other person.

A member of the Police to whom an application is made for the issue of a permit to import an air pistol carbine conversion kit may require the applicant to produce for examination and testing samples of any air pistol carbine conversion kit of the kind referred to in the application that the member of the Police considers necessary.

The Commissioner may grant an application for the issue of a permit to bring or cause to be brought or sent into New Zealand an air pistol carbine conversion kit only if the Commissioner is satisfied that the application is made by an applicant who intends to personally use the kit as a member of an airsoft or paintball club that is affiliated with a national airsoft or paintball organisation.

Any permit issued under this section is personal to the person to whom it is issued and may not be transferred to any other person.

A permit issued under section 18, 18AA, or 18AAB may be revoked at any time by a commissioned officer of Police.

A permit issued under section 18 or 18AA is automatically revoked if—

Subsection (4) applies if—

If this subsection applies, the permit issued to the licensed dealer is invalid to the extent that it permits the importation of an item on behalf of a person referred to in subsection (3)(b) in respect of which the person required the licence or endorsement.

A permit may be issued under section 18, 18AA, or 18AAB only in relation to items that are to be brought or sent into New Zealand—

If, after the issue of a permit referred to in subsection (1), any item to which the permit relates is not included in a consignment referred to in subsection (1), the permit ceases to apply in relation to that item.

Unless sooner revoked under section 18(4), a permit issued for the purposes of section 16(1) shall expire 12 months after the date on which that permit was issued.

If an applicant is required, under section 18(1), 18AA(1), or 18AAB(1), to produce for examination and testing a sample, the applicant must produce the sample as soon as practicable.

Before producing a sample, an applicant must ensure it has not been modified in any way.

The Crown is not liable to pay compensation in respect of any damage caused to a sample resulting from the examination and testing of the sample.

If, following examination and testing, the sample is not approved, the applicant who produced it must, within 12 months after being informed in writing by a member of the Police that the sample is not approved,—

If the sample is not exported as required by subsection (4), the sample must be disposed of or dealt with in the manner that the Commissioner directs.

This section applies if—

If this subsection applies, the person who brought the specified item into New Zealand or caused it to be brought or sent into New Zealand must, within 12 months after being informed in writing by a member of the Police that the specified item does not correspond with the sample or is not otherwise approved for importation into New Zealand, export or cause to be exported from New Zealand—

If a specified item or sample to which subsection (2) relates is not exported as required by that subsection, the specified item or sample must be disposed of or dealt with in the manner that the Commissioner directs.

In this section, specified item means any firearm, pistol, prohibited item, restricted airgun, restricted weapon, blank-firing gun, pistol carbine conversion kit, air pistol carbine conversion kit, or non-prohibited ammunition.

Subsection (2) applies if a member of the Police or a Customs officer suspects on reasonable grounds that an item referred to in section 16—

If this subsection applies, the member of the Police or the Customs officer may—

If an item is seized and detained under subsection (2), sections 65 and 70 apply, with all necessary modifications, in respect of that item.

No person may have in their possession a prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine unless the person is—

This section does not apply to an employee of a licensed dealer when—

A person who contravenes this section commits an offence under section 50A or 50B (as the case may be).

No person may have in their possession a prohibited part unless the person—

This section does not apply to an employee of a licensed dealer when—

A person who contravenes this section commits an offence under section 50C.

No person may have in their possession a pistol or restricted weapon unless the person is—

This section does not apply to an employee of a licensed dealer when—

A person who contravenes this section commits an offence under section 50.

Except as provided in this Act or as otherwise provided in regulations made under this Act, no person shall have a non-prohibited firearm in his possession unless he is of or over the age of 16 years and is the holder of a firearms licence.

The holding of a firearms licence shall not in itself entitle any person to have a pistol or restricted weapon in that person’s possession.

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year, or to a fine not exceeding $15,000, if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1).

Except as otherwise provided in this Act or as otherwise provided in regulations made under this Act, no person shall have an airgun in his possession unless—

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1).

Nothing in this section applies in relation to the possession of specially dangerous airguns.

Nothing in section 20 or section 21 makes it an offence for any person to be in possession of—

It is a good defence to a prosecution for an offence against section 20 or section 21 if the defendant proves,—

A person must not have in their possession an arms item specified in subsection (2) unless the person—

The arms items referred to in subsection (1) are—

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the person, without reasonable excuse, contravenes this section.

A person must not have in their possession any ammunition (other than projectiles for airguns) unless the person—

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).

A person must not have in their possession a pistol carbine conversion kit unless the person is—

This section does not apply to an employee of a licensed dealer when—

A person who contravenes this section commits an offence under section 50AA.

A person who sells or supplies ammunition (other than projectiles for airguns) must hold a firearms licence.

A person may only sell or supply ammunition (other than projectiles for airguns) to a person who holds a firearms licence.

Subsection (1) does not apply to an employee of an ammunition seller performing their duties under the supervision of a person who is the holder of a firearms licence.

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) or (2).

It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (2) if—

Nothing in subsection (3) applies in relation to any ammunition sold or supplied for a firearm of the kind described in section 22(1)(a), (b), or (c).

An ammunition seller must keep at their place of business a book that records the following details in respect of all ammunition (other than projectiles for airguns) sold or supplied in the course of their business:

Despite subsection (1), an ammunition seller need not record details under that subsection if—

An ammunition seller must, at all reasonable times, permit any member of the Police to inspect and make copies of any entries in the book referred to in subsection (1) if the ammunition seller has received at least 7 days’ prior notice of the member’s intention to do so.

An ammunition seller who keeps their book under subsection (1) in hard copy form must retain the book for at least 10 years from the date of the last entry in the book.

An ammunition seller who keeps their book under subsection (1) electronically must retain each electronic record for at least 10 years from the date on which the record is entered.

When an ammunition seller’s firearms licence expires or is revoked or surrendered, or the ammunition seller ceases selling or supplying ammunition, the ammunition seller must immediately surrender to the Police all records they are required by this section to keep that have not been included in the registry.

An ammunition seller commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the ammunition seller, without reasonable excuse, contravenes any of subsections (1) to (6).

A visitor who holds a firearms licence may not, during their stay in New Zealand, acquire ownership of any firearm or restricted weapon for possession in New Zealand.

If a person contravenes subsection (1), that person’s firearms licence is immediately revoked.

No person may manufacture a prohibited item.

Subsection (1) does not apply to an exempt person described in section 4A(1A).

A person who contravenes this section commits an offence under section 50A, 50B, or 50C (as the case may be).

A person is disqualified from holding a firearms licence if—

A person may apply to a member of the Police for a firearms licence if the person—

Every application under subsection (1) shall be made on a form provided by a member of the Police.

An applicant must, at the time of making an application for a firearms licence, provide to a member of the Police the name and contact details of their health practitioner.

Subsection (2A) does not apply to an applicant who is a visitor.

A person who is the holder of a firearms licence may, before the expiration of that firearms licence, apply for a new firearms licence.

Subject to subsection (2), a firearms licence must be issued by a member of the Police to an applicant if the member of the Police is satisfied that—

A firearms licence must not be issued to an applicant if, in the opinion of a commissioned officer of Police, access to any firearm or an airgun in possession of the applicant is reasonably likely to be obtained by any person who—

As soon as is reasonably practicable after issuing a firearms licence to a person, a member of the Police must notify the person’s health practitioner that a firearms licence has been issued to the person.

Subsection (3) does not apply to an applicant who is a visitor.

For the purposes of this Act, a member of the Police may find a person is not a fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or an airgun if the member of the Police is satisfied that 1 or more of the following circumstances exist:

In determining whether, for the purposes of this Act, a person is a fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or an airgun, the member of the Police may take into account—

The member of the Police may, for the purpose of determining whether a person is a fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm or an airgun,—

If the member of the Police proposes to take into account any information that is or may be prejudicial to an applicant’s application, the member of the Police must, subject to subsection (5), disclose that information to the applicant and give the applicant a reasonable opportunity to refute or comment on it.

Nothing in subsection (4) requires the member of the Police to disclose any information to an applicant if that disclosure would be likely to—

In this section,—

Every firearms licence is subject to the conditions that the holder of a firearms licence must,—

Subsection (1)(f) does not apply to a holder of a firearms licence who is a visitor.

It is the duty of every member of the Police exercising any power conferred by subsection (1)(c) or (d)—

Subsections (1)(c) and (3) are subject to section 31A if the licence bears an endorsement made under section 30 or 30B.

A firearms licence held by an ammunition seller is subject to the condition that the ammunition seller has appropriate facilities to ensure the secure storage of all ammunition that, at any time, they possess.

A holder of a firearms licence who breaches a condition that their firearms licence is subject to under section 24B or 24C may—

A firearms licence comes into force on the date specified in the licence and, unless revoked or surrendered earlier,—

Despite subsection (1), if a licence is granted to a person who states in the application form for the licence that he or she is a visitor, the licence may be granted subject to a condition that it expires 1 year from the date of issue or expires on any earlier date specified in the licence.

If a licence has been granted subject to a condition referred to in subsection (2), the licence expires on the date of expiry referred to or specified in the licence, or on the date the person to whom the licence is granted leaves New Zealand, whichever occurs first.

The holder of a current firearms licence (licence A) may, before the expiry of licence A, apply for a new firearms licence.

If an application for a new firearms licence is made but not determined before the expiry of licence A, licence A continues in force, unless it is sooner surrendered or revoked, until the date on which the licence holder is notified of the determination of the application.

A new licence issued on an application made under this section takes effect from—

Every holder of a firearms licence—