Firearms safety is about protecting people: yourself, your whānau, and your community. These online modules give you practical tools to build confidence and knowledge before attending the in-person firearms safety course.

Why use these modules?

• Clear, easy-to-follow guidance from Aotearoa New Zealand’s firearms regulator
• Learn your responsibilities and safe practices
• Prepare for real-life situations before your safety course
• Use alongside the Firearms Safety Code, your essential guide
• Share with friends and whānau to promote community safety

The modules are numbered 1–6. This is the recommended order for new firearms users to build a strong foundation and follow a clear learning pathway.

What you’ll explore

• Discover the seven rules that keep everyone safe.
• Applying the seven rules until they become second nature.
• Why these rules protect you, your whānau, and everyone around you.

Why it’s useful

These rules help prevent incidents and keep you, your whānau, and everyone around you safe every time a firearm is handled.

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What you’ll explore

• Common types of firearms used in Aotearoa.
• Parts of a firearm and how they work together.
• What the law says about what counts as a firearm.

Why it’s useful

Understanding common firearm types and parts builds confidence and ensures you can handle and store them safely and legally.

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What you’ll explore

• The parts of ammunition and how they work together.
• Guidelines to choose the right ammunition for your firearm and activity.
• Practice safe storage and learn how to respond to ammunition faults.

Why it’s useful

Building confidence in how ammunition works and how to choose and store it safely helps prevent malfunctions and keep you, your whānau, and everyone around you safe.

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What you’ll explore

• The safety checks every firearm user should know.
• The four states of readiness and when to use them.
• Build confidence in handling your firearm in real situations.

Why it’s useful

Practicing safe handling and using the right state of readiness reduces potential harm and protects you and others in any situation.

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What you’ll explore

• The steps to prepare your firearm for safe and accurate use.
• Zeroing and patterning for better shooting results.
• Protect yourself with the right gear and first aid know-how.
• Range rules and why they keep everyone safe.

Why it’s useful

Preparing your firearm, using safety gear, and knowing first aid and range rules helps you shoot responsibly and care for those around you.

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What you’ll explore

• Safe ways to carry and transport your firearm across different terrain.
• The correct steps to cross fences and obstacles without risk.
• Proven safety practices for low light conditions and shared spaces like a mai mai.
• Your legal and safety responsibilities when supervising others.

Why it’s useful

Applying safe practices when hunting like carrying, crossing obstacles, and supervising others keeps you and your group safe in changing conditions.

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Game Animal Council New Zealand (GAC) – Better Hunting eLearning

The Better Hunting Aotearoa platform from Game Animal Council offers free online hunter education, making it a great way to deepen your knowledge of ethical hunting practices and complement what you learn in these modules.