Firearms Offences

• Unlawful possession of a firearm or restricted weapon
• Possession of a firearm without a licence
• Careless or dangerous use of a firearm
• Firearms offending connected to other charges, such as burglary or drug offending
• Breaches of safe storage requirements

Firearms cases often turn on questions of lawful possession, licensing status, and the circumstances in which a firearm was found or used. Where firearms charges accompany other, more serious allegations, the way the firearms element is dealt with can materially affect the overall case and sentencing outcome.

Penalties for firearms offending vary significantly depending on the type of weapon involved, whether it was used or simply possessed, and whether the offending is connected to other criminal activity. New Zealand's firearms laws are subject to periodic legislative change, and sentencing approaches have become increasingly serious for unlawful possession and use.

Given the technical nature of firearms legislation and licensing requirements, early legal advice helps clarify whether an offence has genuinely been committed and what defences may be available, particularly in cases involving licensing or storage technicalities.