A pistol shooting club is a shooting club that facilitates shooting activities that include the use of pistols.

Certificate of approval

To operate, a pistol shooting club must hold a certificate of approval. The certificate of approval is issued by the Commissioner of Police (section 38B), through the delegated authority of a Commissioned Officer of Police (section 72).

Apply to have a pistol shooting club approved

An application for a certificate of approval may only be made by a person who is authorised by the pistol shooting club to make the application on its behalf (section 38D(1)).

In the new, 2025 legislation changes, any pistol shooting club that was issued a certificate of approval is treated as approved and able to continue to operate. 

To apply for a certificate of approval for a pistol shooting club, an application form (FRM-CR1) must be submitted to Police by email or post to, must include supporting information and documentation, and must be accompanied by the prescribed application fee of $140. Section 38D(2), 

Contact our team to apply to have a pistol shooting club approved: clubsandranges@police.govt.nz

Before approving any application for a pistol shooting club, additional information may be requested pursuant to section 38E of the Act, in order to determine whether the application should be granted. The Commissioner may also request the applicant to provide further information or documents the Commissioner considers necessary to determine whether the application should be granted.

If a club intends to sell or supply ammunition or firearms on behalf of the club, the club must also include in its application a financial report approved according to club rules, that contains enough information to: 

  • reconcile the ammunition or firearms purchased on behalf of the club, and sold or held on behalf of the club
  • evidence to show that the revenue generated by the sales was or is to be used for the benefit of the club.

An invoice detailing the relevant fee will be generated and provided to the club representative. This is required to be paid before the club approval is granted.

Decision on application for certificate of approval

The Commissioner may grant a certificate of approval if the Commissioner is satisfied that the pistol club:

  • will be using a certified pistol shooting range for its shooting activities; and
  • has rules relating to the safe operation of firearms and promotes the safe possession and use of firearms (range standing orders); and
  • is appropriately administered; and
  • is able to safely manage its shooting activities; and
  • has proper storage for any firearm or ammunition held at any of the club’s premises or at a certified shooting range used by the club. Section 38F.

Issue of certificate of approval 

If an application is granted, a certificate of approval must be issued to the pistol shooting club. The certificate of approval is subject to the conditions set out in Regulations 28GC to 28GM, or any conditions the Commissioner considers appropriate (section 38G refers). 

Duration of certificate of approval

A certificate of approval granted to a pistol shooting club continues until:

  • surrendered by the pistol shooting club; or
  • cancelled by the Commissioner or a person holding the Commissioner’s delegated authority. Section 38H.

Cancellation of certificate of approval – pistol shooting club

The Commissioner must cancel a certificate of approval if satisfied that the pistol shooting club:

  • is not using a certified pistol shooting range for its shooting activities; or
  • is no longer carrying on its operations; or
  • no longer meets the requirements in Sections 38C or 38F of the Arms Act; or
  • has failed to comply with an improvement notice issued under 38XL of the Arms Act.

The Commissioner may cancel a certificate of approval if satisfied that the pistol shooting club:

  • has failed to comply with any conditions to which the certificate is subject; or
  • has failed to report any serious firearms-related safety incident; or
  • has had any activity of the club raise any reasonable concern about the safety of its members or the public. Section 38I.

Annual reports

Pistol shooting clubs are required to provide an annual report to the Commissioner, in this case the Clubs and Ranges Team. This must be received no later than 2 months after the end of the financial year. Financial year in this context refers to a period beginning 1 July and ending on 30 June of the following year. Section 38J. 

Regulation 28GN specifies what must be included in the annual report:

  • details of any changes to the club’s officers since the date of approval or last annual report, whichever is the later. If no such changes have occurred, there much be a statement to that effect.
  • details of any changes made to the constitutions or rules since the date of approval or the last annual report, whichever is the later; and
  • the minutes of the club’s last annual general meeting; and
  • the names of all club members; and
  • the firearms licence numbers of all members who hold a firearms licence; and
  • a list of the shooting activities organised by the club that were held during the financial year and the location of those events; and
  • records required under Regulation 28GM(1); and
  • a list of the shooting activities organised by the club that are planned to be held during the next financial year and the location of those events; and
  • if firearms or ammunition or both were sold on behalf of the club, a financial report approved in line with the club’s rules that details a reconciliation of all firearms and ammunition purchased compared to the firearms and ammunition held or sold on behalf of the club, and provide evidence the revenue was used or will be used for the benefit of the club,
  • the pistol shooting club does not however need to provide any information listed above if that information is publicly available on a register of incorporated societies (Regulation 28GR refers).

Membership of pistol shooting club committee

A person must not be a member of the committee of a pistol shooting club if the person meets any of the following criteria (Regulation 28GE refers). 

  • If the person is disqualified under Section 22H of the Act from holding a firearms licence. This only applies if the person is not a current licence holder, as 22H is not applied retrospectively.
  • If the person has had a firearms licence revoked in the last 5 years.
  • If the person has had an endorsement on their licence revoked in the last 5 years.

Pistol shooting club membership

A pistol shooting club must at all times maintain a list of all current club members and the firearms licence numbers of those current members, at least for those members who do hold a firearms licence. 

A pistol shooting club must notify Police if any of the below events occur. Any notification from a pistol shooting club must be given within 28 calendar days of the event occurring. Each of the three notifiable events include additional information that must be included with the notification. 

  • Notifiable Event 1: A person joins the club as a new member.
    • Must include the name of the new member and new member’s firearms licence number, if they have a firearms licence.
  • Notifiable Event 2: The club declines a person’s membership application.
    • Must include the applicant’s name and the reason for declining their application.
  • Notifiable Event 3: A person ceases to be a member of the club for any reason.
    • The name of the former member and the date on which they ceased to be a member. Regulation 28GD refers.

 

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