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 (Commissioner’s Declaration under Section 8(1)(a))
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
- A firearm capable of discharging a net designed for animal capture (Commissioner’s Declaration under Section 8(1)(a))
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
- 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
- Lever action shotguns with a magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds (Commissioner’s Declaration under Section 8(1)(a))
- Vector .223 calibre centrefire pump action rifle (Commissioner’s Declaration under Section 8(1)(a))
- Firearms chambered in .50BMG, or rounds derived from that case (Commissioner’s Declaration under Section 8(1)(a))
Category H (schedule 6)
- Pistols and air pistols (not tranquilizer guns)
Additionally, a Category A rimfire rifle or Category B firearm, fitted with a stock that is designed to operate on a swivel, folding or telescopic basis, and which is in excess of 70cm at folded or retracted length, retains its original categorisation (Commissioner’s Declaration under Section 8(1)(a))