THE CARRYING OF ARMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18571, 25 November 1920, Page 10

THE CARRYING OF ARMS.

NEW REGULATIONS ISSUED. Regulations under tho Arms Act passed last session have been issued and will come into force on January 1. Tho Aot, which supersedes an old and out-of-date measure, declares that automatic pistols are unlawful weapons, and provides for the imposition of a fine of £IOO or three months' imprisonment on anyone found in possession of such a weapon without a special license after April 1 next. An exception is made in the case of returned Boldiers, or any near relative, whom the Minister of Defeneo may authorise to retain the possession of any unlawful woapon which the soldier used beyond th G seas or which ho brought back with him. Except under license, it is an offence against the Act to carry a pistol beyond one's own house or grounds, but a license to do eo may be obtained from the police. Such a license will hold good for twelvo months unless revoked, and any change of address on the part or tho holder must at once bo notified. Permits aro to be required for tho importation of arms, ammunition or explosives, and those desiring to fc buy these articles in New Zealand must secure from the police a permit, which will hold good for six dayß only. The seller of firearms undor these permits must specify on the baok of the perrriit the firearm sold and return the document to the police. Permits aro not required for the purchase of shot-guns or shot-gun ammunition, and the'Commissioner of Pollco xn&v authorise that ammunition for small sporting rifles not exceeding .22 calibre may be sold without a periatt for such periods of time and in such limited areas as he thinks fit.

Power is given under the Act for the Governor-General to fix areas within which the possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives shall be unlawful except pursuant to license issued by tho police. It is further required that any person owning a firearm must register, application in this connection being made to tho police, but such registration will not entitle any person to possess a firearm within an area prescribed as above. Registration is also to apply only to the district in which the certficate is issued, but the certificate may be endorsed in another district and made available therein for one month.