Concealed carry in NZ

[ehintz]

Question: anybody know the story on concealed carry in NZ? I've seen all the bits about how to obtain a firearms license, but the coppers webpage didn't say anything at all about concealed (I'm guessing maybe, therefore, it's just assumed under a standard license? Particularly given I've very rarely seen guns down here, which would tend to indicate

Comments

[tatjna]

The way I understand it, there is no permit for concealed carry in NZ. Even the cops aren't allowed to do it, and average citizens definitely aren't.

Let me know if you find out any different.

[tatjna]

More info here.

Essentially, you're not allowed to carry a loaded weapon anywhere, ever, without a legitimate purpose such as hunting. Firearms licences only cover rifles and shotguns and these must be unloaded when being transported either on foot or in a vehicle. Pistols are a special endorsement and even then it is either only for target shooting (permitted only on a shooting range), or only for collection, museum or theatrical purposes, and these may not be fired.

NZ is pretty staunch about people not carrying deadly weapons around on their person. You can get done pretty hard for knives as well. The reason you rarely see guns is that they really aren't a Thing here. NZ just doesn't seem to have that mentality as a nation.

[ext_678599]

Everything Wendy said, with a followup:

You basically can't get licenses for concealable weapons (handguns, small SMGs etc) in NZ. Pistols are restricted to ranges, collectible items must be non-functional etc.

I believe it's also rather illegal to modify weapons to conceal them, e.g. sawn-off shotguns.

The only time you'll often see guns in NZ is rurally, carried by hunters. They are typically "broken" over the arm, if a shotgun, or will have the bolt partially removed, if a rifle.

They are never carried loaded, and there is an elaborate rural etiquette on how to handle guns around others.

[ehintz]

Right, this is where I got caught up. My assumption was that you could get them, and therefore the reason I wasn't seeing them was because they were hidden. The idea that they were nigh on impossible to get at all just didn't enter into my mind (it's very un-American :) ).

[ext_678599]

There's a very healthy attitude in NZ that any gun designed primarily to kill people (e.g. pistols, assault rifles, SMGs etc) is inherently illegitimate and has no place in our society.

Similarly, while we're tolerant of guns that are designed to kill other things (rabbits, possums, deer etc), we only tolerate them in places where that would be a viable option.

NZ actually has a high rate of gun ownership, but the guns are mostly in rural areas.

[unixronin]

This is one of the things that led me to rule out moving to New Zealand, as well as the reason I will never return to the UK. The UK in particular has gone utterly and completely off the deep end of rampant, raging, galloping hoplophobia. I can't help but wonder what's going to happen when the UK legislatively realizes that it's possible to assault someone with a hammer (or a brick, for that matter).

[tatjna]

Your call, I guess. I like it here. Having lived here all my life, I wouldn't describe our attitude as phobia at all. It's a healthy respect and understanding for the purpose of guns, which is killing meat not people.

It's telling that the majority of gun related deaths here are a) accidents and b) related to hunting. I'm happy for those who want to carry concealed firearms for no purpose other than "someone might attack me and I want to be able to shoot them if they do" to live elsewhere.

[unixronin]

It's not really that at all. It's that there are so many restrictions on what I may legally even collect for technical interest. It's the idea that I can be in serious legal trouble for having a TOOL in my pocket.

(Yes, a knife is primarily a tool.)

[tatjna]

Sure. And in situations where the knife is useful as a tool, it wouldn't be restricted. For example when I was shepherding I could carry my skinning knife (Kiwi equivalent to a bowie) in a pouch on my belt and there'd be no problems - as long as I took it off to go into town cos you know, no sheep or deer to skin in the supermarket). As a freezing worker I was able to carry my boning knives in full view on the seat of my car - but it'd be dumb to do that going to the pub. Most of the geeks I know carry leatherman tools or swiss army knives in their pockets because they are useful, and this is no problem

[unixronin]

Ah, now contrast that to the UK ... where a guy was arrested and sent to prison for having a utility knife that he needed for his job, but which his employer refused to provide and refused to provide on-site storage for, in a locked toolbox in the locked trunk of his car.

One hopes NZ will not go that nuts.

[tatjna]

I doubt it. We've had these laws for a very long time. They work for us.

[ehintz]

Aye, tho I guess I'd not be against the idea when there's legitimate risk. That's why the coppers have 'em, after all. But I'm not all that bothered about it.

[tatjna]

Only the armed offenders squad and some airport police routinely carry guns here. The weapons they have on their person are pepper spray, batons, and now tasers (although I'm pretty sure not all of them have these). I believe they carry a gun in their vehicle, but these are subject to the same laws of transportation that all guns are, and are thus not easily accessible or loaded.

As far as I know they don't carry knives.

[tatjna]

PS sorry I've gone on a bit here. Clearly I have Opinions!

[ehintz]

:) No worries.

Some 20 years ago I considered a career as a ranger for the National Park Service (US, of course). One reason I decided against it was the requirement to carry, and be law enforcement. Didn't appeal.

But a potential new project I may get involved with could put me in a position where I need self defense, which is why I looked into it. Sounds like some sort of non-lethal is the way to go down here(even my limited looking at those indicates they're fairly controlled).

Overall, yeah, I'm reasonably happy with the NZ system, tho admittedly in my particular case it's proving a minor PITA at the moment.

[tatjna]

I think you should develop your vocal skills so you can sustain a note at a frequency that immobilises everyone in hearing distance. You'd be unstoppable!