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Military style semi-automatics (MSSA)

NZ Police has reviewed its interpretation of what constitutes a Military Style Semi-Automatic (MSSA) under the Arms Act 1983. This means that some firearms in New Zealand are now correctly classified as MSSAs whereas before they were considered to be sporting weapons (category A).

This review has been done in response to an evolution in the market for civilian configured military style weapons in New Zealand.Variation of a military style semi-automatic firearm

Police must ensure that people who own such firearms meet the fit and proper requirements to have an MSSA and that they have appropriate security measures in place.

If you have a semi-automatic firearm with any of the following features it is considered to have a ‘military pattern free-standing pistol grip’ and is therefore a MSSA:

Variation of a military style semi-automatic firearm

  • An obvious pistol grip below the trigger guard that allows a full hand pistol grip irrespective that the pistol grip may be connected to the stock – this includes the HK USC .45, SL8-4 and Dragunov style stock
  • Any addition that connects the pistol grip to the stock or butt in an attempt to make it no longer free standing (such as adding a metal or plastic rod). 
  • A second grip forward of the trigger.

License holders who as a result of the change possess an MSSA must now:

  •  If no ‘E’ endorsement is held, apply to Police for an ‘E’ endorsement on their firearms licence. Police will waive the fee for the endorsement for those who take this option by 31 March 2010.
  •  If ‘E’ endorsement already held, confirm lawful possession using the permit to procure process.

If you do not wish to hold an E endorsement you must:

  • Sell or dispose of the MSSA to a person who has a firearms licence with an ‘E’ endorsement and a permit to procure. 
  • Surrender the MSSA to Police – MSSAs can be handed in to the Police. There is no ‘buy back’ scheme in place.
  • Convert the MSSA so that it is in ‘sporting configuration’ – A conversion of a MSSA to ‘sporting configuration’ must ensure that the firearm does not have a military pattern free-standing pistol grip. 
     



A4 Poster [PDF]