AskUs

Can my GP share my health information if I own a gun?

Yes. Te Tari Pūreke(external link) is responsible for ensuring firearms possession and use is limited to those who are judged fit and proper to possess and use them. Owners must act in the interests of public safety. (external link)Under the Arms Act 1983(external link), health practitioners must consider notifying Te Tari Pūreke if their patient is:

  1. a firearms licence holder or they believe their patient is a firearms licence holder and
  2. they consider their patient’s health condition may impact their safety or the safety of the public if they continue to have access to firearms. 

A health practitioner may also decide not to notify Te Tari Pūreke. However if they don't notify, they must provide the following information to Te Tari Pūreke:

  • Their opinion about whether the licence holder should be permitted to possess or use firearms. Or whether they should be allowed to possess or use them subject to limitations.
  • The grounds on which they have based their opinion
  • Whether they believe the licence holder poses an immediate or imminent danger of self-harm or harm to others.

After being notified, Te Tari Pūreke may decide to:

  • Require a licence holder to undergo a further medical assessment by another health practitioner. In this case, the licence holder must either:
      • undergo the further assessment; or
      • surrender their licence under section 27(1)

•    Commence a temporary suspension pending possible revocation under the Arms Act.

  • Take no further action

If Te Tari Pūreke decides to take any action, it is required to write to the licence holder and advise them of the action being taken, the reasons for it and provide the licence holder an opportunity to address any concerns.  

A licence holder who is a patient can request whether a health practitioner has notified Te Tari Pūreke under IPP6 of the Privacy Act 2020, unless it’s subject to witholding grounds. 

Read more information from Te Tari Pūreke on their website(external link). 

These changes were made in December 2020 under the Arms Legislation Act 2020.

Updated September 2025