What the official record says
This Act is the Arms (Licence Holders' Applications for New Licences) Amendment Act . This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent. This Act amends the Arms Act 1983. Replace section 8A(5) with: The renewal of a dealer’s licence takes effect from— the date on which the licence expires, if the renewal is issued before the licence expires; or the date on which the renewal is issued, if the renewal is issued after the licence expires. After section 25, insert: The holder of a current firearms licence ( ) may, before the expiry of licence A, apply for a new firearms licence. If an application for a new firearms licence is made but not determined before the expiry of licence A, licence A continues in force, unless it is sooner surrendered or revoked,