Firearms Categories

Firearms are classified under five separate categories - A, B, C, D and H.

Category A (schedule 2)

  • Air rifles
  • Rimfire rifles, other than self-loading (semi-automatic)
  • Shotguns, other than lever action, pump action or self-loading (semi-automatic)
  • Shotgun and rimfire rifle combinations

Category B (schedule 3)

  • Muzzle-loading firearms (including shotguns) - other than pistols
  • Centre-fire rifles, other than self-loading (semi-automatic)
  • Shotgun and centre-fire rifle combinations
  • Lever action shotgun with capacity for 5 rounds or less

Category C (schedule 4)

  • Self-loading (semi-automatic) rimfire rifles with magazine capacity of no more than 10 rounds
  • Self-loading (semi-automatic) shotguns with magazine capacity of no more than 5 rounds
  • Pump action shotguns with magazine capacity of no more than 5 rounds
  • Firearms (including pistols) designed to discharge tranquilizers
  • Paintball firearms

Category D (schedule 5)

  • Self-loading (semi-automatic) centre-fire rifles
  • Self-loading (semi-automatic) shotguns with a magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds
  • Pump action shotguns with a magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds
  • Lever action shotguns with a magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds
  • Self-loading rimfire rifles with magazine capacity of more than 10 rounds
  • Firearms, other than pistols, less than 70 cm in length and capable of being concealed on or about the person
  • Inoperable machine guns

Category H (schedule 6)

  • Pistols and air pistols (not tranquilizer guns)