This update will provide you with an indication of which firearms regulatory services will be available at different COVID-19 alert levels.

At alert level one all firearms services operate normally.

At alert level two both district based and centrally supported activities including face to face interviews and site visits will continue to operate.

Police public counters will operate with social distancing protocols in place. Social distancing will be observed and staff will be wearing facemasks and appropriate PPE as required. A limited number of firearms safety programme courses are still running.

In the interests of reducing the spread of COVID-19, it’s recommended firearms community members wear face coverings when visited by Police. At Alert Level 2, wearing a mask is recommended when you cannot maintain physical distance from people you don't know. For more information visit https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/protect-yourself-and-others/wear-a-face-covering/

At alert level three the following firearms face to face services are deferred:

• Public counter services,
• Mail order approval service
• First time licence and licence renewal applicant vetting and security checks
• Dealer licence applicant vetting and audit checks,
• Endorsed firearms licence holder audits,
• Firearms safety programme for first time applicants.

The following centrally based firearms non-face to face support services continue in a reduced capacity:

• permits to import firearms,
• prohibited endorsement application resolution and
• change of address phone enquiries.

Online notifications and applications will be received and will be processed but with reduced capacity likely to create delays.

At alert level four the following firearms face to face services are deferred:

• Public counter services,
• Mail order approval service
• First time licence and licence renewal applicant vetting and security checks
• Dealer licence applicant vetting and audit checks,
• Endorsed firearms licence holder audits,
• Firearms safety programme for first time applicants.

The following centrally based firearms non-face to face support services are deferred:

• permits to import firearms,
• prohibited endorsement application resolution and
• change of address phone enquiries is deferred.

National contact services may continue in a reduced capacity with some staff enabled to work from home. Firearms applicants may lodge applications and change of address notifications on line or by email but these will be placed in a backlog queue.

Note:

• The Government passed legislation in May enabling the extension of firearms and dealers’ licences expiring between December 2019 and 25 September 2020. This means people who have an expired or expiring firearms or dealer’s licence, and have applied for a renewal, will be deemed to have a current licence until the outcome of their licence application. For licences expiring between 25 March and 25 September 2020 licence holders have up to 4 months after the original expiry date in which to apply for a replacement licence.
• Pistol endorsement holder minimum annual shoot requirements will be affected and Police will engage separately with these licence holders in the future.
• Due to continuing COVID-19 related impacts Police have an increasing backlog of licence applications and other work. As alert levels allow the backlogs will be progressed as promptly as possible.