New Zealand government to announce tighter gun laws within 10 days
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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Monday that her Cabinet had agreed in principle upon tighter gun laws for New Zealand.
The Christchurch terror attack has prompted the government to quickly review its gun law policy, with tighter legislation expected as the outcome. The shooter used military-style arms to target people at two mosques.
At a press conference, Ardern said the attack has exposed a range of weaknesses in New Zealand’s gun laws which are to be amended.
She said she will announce a more fulsome set of details once we have worked through the decisions the Cabinet made today with concrete proposals will be announced within 10 days. A review she pointed out that had come within 72 hours of the attack.
In the meantime, she encouraged individuals to surrender weapons similar to the ones used in the attacks to the authorities.
Ardern said an inquiry examining whether government agencies could have done more to prevent the shooting, the inquiry would also look at the suspect’s travel to and from New Zealand, his activities in the country, his use of social media and his contacts.
The Prime Minister also announced that there will be a national commemoration and a service held for all New Zealanders to get together and mourn. However it will not be this week to give families of victims time to grieve.
