Military-style weapons to be banned in New Zealand

Military-style semi-automatics and assault rifles will be banned in New Zealand under stronger new gun laws announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as a reaction to the Christchurch shootings.

The country’s rules around guns have been in the spotlight since last Friday’s mosque shootings in Christchurch.

Ardern said the Government will pass legislation under urgency to give effect to the ban and expects it to pass on April 11.

Ardern told the media she expected to have wide support in the House to pass the new law.

For current gun owners with these types of weapons, Ardern accepted many will have acted within the law and for these gun owners there will be a buy-back scheme.

Ardern said officials estimated that the buy-back could cost “anywhere between $100m and $200m. But that is the price that we must pay to ensure the safety of our communities”

The lone gunman armed with semi-automatic rifles including an AR-15 killed people as they prayed on Friday. He is believed to have modified his weapon with a high-capacity magazine.

Australian Brenton Tarrant, who has been charged with murder, obtained a firearm license in New Zealand in 2017.

 

Via BBC and New Zealand Herald