A pistol shooting range that, before 29 June 2025, held a certificate issued under section 38P before the legislation change of 2025, is to be treated as continuing to hold a certificate. Any pistol shooting range that was subject to an improvement notice before the change of legislation is to be treated as continuing to be subject to that improvement notice. Schedule 1, Part 2, clause 25.

A non-pistol shooting range that was certified before the change in legislation is to be treated as enrolled. A non-pistol shooting range being treated as enrolled may be inspected within 5 years of its date of certification if it has not yet been inspected since its certification, and then at intervals of not less than 5 years. If the non-pistol shooting range has already been inspected following certification then it must not be inspected again until at least 5 years after the date of its most recent inspection, and then no sooner than 5 years after that date.

A non-pistol shooting club that was subject to any improvement notice or any notice of temporary suspension continues to subject to those notices following 29 June 2025. Schedule 1, Part 2, clause 26.

Like the separation between pistol shooting clubs and non-pistol shooting clubs, there is a separation between pistol shooting ranges and non-pistol shooting ranges.

A Shooting Range Operator (SRO) is a person who is operating or proposing to operate a shooting range. An SRO is responsible for the safe operation of their shooting range(s) and must comply with:

• the Arms Act 1983, and the Arms Regulations 1992
• remedial or preventative action required by an Improvement Notice
• the conditions of certification or enrolment
• maintaining the range(s) to the standards published by the Commissioner (for pistol shooting ranges only)
• renewal of range certification for pistol shooting ranges

They may also have other responsibilities including, but not limited to:

• lawful use of the land on which the range is operating
• identifying and addressing safety concerns at their shooting range(s) including those relating to health risks regulated by the Health Act (check reference)
• the provision for training Officers on Duty (OD) and maintaining a record of trained ODs.

Range operators must develop and maintain range standing orders (RSOs) that include all the information required by the association they are affiliated with, or the Police. RSOs are a document that describes the management and safe operation of the shooting range. RSOs require prior approval by the association the shooting range is affiliated with, or the Police.

The SRO of a pistol or non-pistol shooting range and a temporary non-pistol shooting range must ensure that all persons using the range have access to the RSOs, whether in hard copy or electronic form, and are advised of any changes made to the RSOs.

RSOs for pistol shooting ranges must be approved by the Police. Any change to already approved RSOs that are for pistol shooting ranges may only be made with the prior approval of Police, if the change will or may affect the ballistic characteristics of the range or the safe operation of the range. 

RSOs for non-pistol shooting ranges can be approved by either the association the range is affiliated with, or by the Police. 

Any changes to the RSOs for the non-pistol shooting range may only be made with the prior approval of the association the range is affiliated with, or the Police, if the change will affect the ballistic characteristics of the range or the operation or safety of the range. 

The SRO in this situation must advise the Commissioner of any change to RSOs. The Commissioner must be given this notice within 28 days of the change being approved. 

A shooting range inspector is a member of Police authorised in writing by the Commissioner. Only members of the Clubs and Ranges Team will hold the written authority. 

These members are trained and qualified to inspect shooting ranges to ensure ranges meet the minimum acceptable requirements of safe range design and construction as set out in the New Zealand Police Shooting Range Manual.

On any occasion when one or more persons are shooting on a pistol or non-pistol shooting range, there must be a designated duty officer (DO), officer on duty (OD) or range officer (RO) in charge of each individual shooting range at all times while it is in use. (Refer section 38W).

In order to act as a DO/OD/RO they must hold a firearms licence and be appropriately trained in shooting range safety management. This training must cover at a minimum:

• The duties and responsibilities of the DO/RO/OD
• Understanding and compliance with RSOs
• The correct preparation and set up of the range prior to commencement of firing to include clearance of the danger area
• That only approved firearms, calibres and ammunition are used on the range
• That they supervise all shooters and inspect firearms and ammunition in accordance with the respective shooting discipline requirements (e.g. specific range safety procedures, match/competition rules, etc)
• That only approved targets are used and target placement is correct
• The control and supervision of firearms security and safe handling of firearms within the range environment
• That they assign shooters to targets
• The safe conduct of the shooting activity using approved range commands (for the respective shooting discipline), in a manner and language that can be heard and understood by all participants, and clearance of firearms
• That they report all breaches of safety and/or RSOs to the SRO (or Club committee)
• The appropriate control of all non-firing participants while firing is in progress
• The procedure to follow in an emergency

Every person entering the range, whether a member or visitor, is to be under the control of the designated DO/OD/RO and must comply at all times with their directions and instructions the officer on duty’s directions and instructions as to safety and conduct. 

The DO/OD/RO should be readily identified and should not be participating in the shooting activity but can be replaced by another DO/OD/RO to allow participation. For small group shooting activities a DO/OD/RO can participate as long as they can still carry out their duties and responsibilities effectively.

The range operator of a shooting range must maintain for each year ending 30 June, a record of officers who are on duty from time to time during the year, and how they satisfy the requirements to hold a firearms licence and are appropriately trained to manage shooting range safety. The record must state:

• The name of the officer; and
• The firearms licence number of the officer; and
• The training that the officer has had in shooting range safety management.

The record must be kept for a period of 2 years from the end of the year to June. Regulations 28GZH and 28GZV.

A pistol shooting range that is granted certification may be made subject to any other conditions the Commissioner considers appropriate, including conditions which relate to:

• Maintenance of the range
• Public access to the range
• Restrictions on the types of firearms and ammunition that may be used on the range
• Competitions that may be conducted on the range.

This section of the secure storage guidelines sets out what shooting clubs and shooting range operators must do and gives guidance about good practice and how to comply with requirements. 

1. There are specific requirements for storing firearms and ammunition at premises used by a shooting club or premises at a shooting range. These premises are called ‘club or range premises’ here for short.
2. Firearms or ammunition are considered to be stored at club or range premises if they are not in the physical possession of a firearms licence holder. That might be overnight but can also include shorter periods such as a lunch break during shooting activities.
3. Firearms licence holders are still responsible for the security of any firearm or ammunition in their possession while at club or range premises. But there are also responsibilities on the club and the range operator if firearms or ammunition are stored on club or range premises. 

Shooting Clubs 

If firearms or ammunition are stored at premises used by a shooting club, the club must ensure that secure storage facilities are available. The club is the one named on its certificate of approval letter of approval. 

Shooting Ranges 

If firearms or ammunition are stored at the premises of a shooting range, the range operator must ensure that secure storage facilities are available. The range operator is the person, company or other entity named as the shooting range operator on the certificate issued by Police when the range is certified. 

Storage Facilities at Club or Range Premises 

Storage facilities must be one of the following types: 

• A steel box, steel cabinet or steel safe that is secured to the premises.
• A steel and concrete strongroom or secure strongroom.
• Other facilities that are approved by Police for a specific location. 

Security of the Premises 

The building or premises in which the container or room is located must meet construction standards: 

• The premises must be structurally sound.
• It must have strong, well-maintained exterior doors with strong locks, bolts, hinges and other fastenings that can be secured against unlawful entry.
• It must have well-maintained windows and skylights with locks, bolts, hinges and other fastenings maintained in good condition that are capable of being secured against unlawful entry