New Zealand has banned the sale of semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles attack in the mosque that claimed the lives of 50 Muslims in two mosques. The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, told in a news conference to “Be assured this is just the beginning of the work we’ll be doing.” “It’s in the national interest and it’s about safety… to prevent an act of terror from ever happening again in our country,” she said of the ban. Ardern said that she expected that the new law to be in place by 11th of April 11 there would be buy-back schemes arranged for the banned weapons. “Now, six days after this attack, we are announcing a ban on all military-style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles in New Zealand,” Ardern said.
She said that the gunman who has been arrested in the attacks on two Christchurch mosques had purchased his weapons and was completely legal. Then he had enhanced their capacity by using 30-round magazines which was done with via a “simple online purchase”. “Related parts used to convert these guns into MSSAs are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines,” she said. “In short, every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attack on Friday will be banned in this country.”
Ardern said that the interim measures will stop a rush of purchases before the legislation on the measures comes into effect from next month. Ardern added that there would be a some exemptions as well ad that would be for farmers because they need firearms for pest control and managing their livestock.
Ardern’s move in a span of six days after the gunman entered the Linwood and Al Noor mosques killing 50 people indiscriminately. All of the victims have been identified by coroners, while funerals are continuing as relatives are collecting the mortal remains of their loved ones from the authorities.
“I can say that, as of a few minutes ago, the identification process and to all 50 victims has been completed and all of the next of kin have been advised,” Police Commissioner Mike Bush said at a press conference in Wellington. “That is a landmark for this process,” he added.
The assassin, Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a white supremacist has been charged with murder following the mosque attacks on Friday. He has been remanded without a plea in the initial court appearance and is expected to be faced with more charges then.
