New Zealand PM Announces Semi-Automatic Weapons And Assault Rifles Ban

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Thursday all assault weapons and "military-style automatic weapons" would be banned in the wake of last week's mosque shootings in Christchurch that left 50 people dead. Ardern said she expects the new law to be in place by April 11 and buy-back programs will be put in place for banned weapons. 

Ardern said the shooting suspect had purchased his weapons legally and a "simple online purchase" of 30-round magazines had enhanced their capacity. Ardern said all semi-automatic used during the attack would be banned. 

"I strongly believe that the vast majority of legitimate gun owners in New Zealand will understand that these moves are in the national interest, and will take these changes in their stride," Ardern said. 

Ardern said the government acknowledged that some guns serve "legitimate purposes in our farming communities" and thus they were setting aside exemptions for .22 caliber rifles and shotguns. 

"We're taking out of circulation the guns that can be modified that way and are designed essentially to take lives," Ardern said in a press conference.

Ardern said she expected the buyback program to cost anywhere between $100 million ($69 million in American dollars) and $200 million ($138 million in American dollars) but "that is the price that we must pay to ensure the safety of our communities."

Within hours of the deadly attack, Ardern said the country's gun laws would change. It was the country's deadliest shooting since 1990.

First published on March 20, 2019 / 10:29 PM

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