This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/mar/18/new-zealand-mosque-attack-police-search-homes-in-nsw-in-connection-with-shooting-live

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
New Zealand mosque attack: alleged gunman bought four firearms online – live New Zealand mosque attack: alleged gunman bought four firearms online – live
(30 minutes later)
A Muslim leader is speaking now, I didn’t catch his name but will update when I can.
“While our community is mourning, we are saddened, we are shocked, but as a community we are a resilient community. We know we are living in a country where we are welcome. One of the most beautiful, most peaceful countries in the world.”
He says it is for this reason that he thinking the “right-wing individuals” behind these attacks chose New Zealand.
“They picked our country for the same reason that we pride ourselves when we got and think it is the best country in the world... They want to bring friction, hatred, division in our country.”
The leader says he has a message for those who want to sow hate: “They have failed woefully, because what they have done, if anything, is increase the love and the feeling we have for our country.
“We have also felt the enormous outpouring of love, what we call aroha in New Zealand. There are no words to express the aroha we have experienced.”
Police deputy commissioner Wally Haumaha is speaking to the press. He says they have been working through the night to try to get the bodies of the victims back to their families and to be ready for burial.
He says two important blessings took place at the mosques where the attacks occurred, in preparation to reopen those mosques, when investigations are concluded.
Police are hoping the mosques will be able to be open once again at the end of the week.
New Zealand Jacinda Ardern is set to give a press conference at 4pm local time (in about one minute). We’ll have the updates of her press conference as soon as it’s live.
For those affected by Friday’s events, crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day. In New Zealand, Lifeline can be reached on 0800 543 354. In Australia, Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Irish Republic, contact Samaritans on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
Our reporters Melissa Davey and Eleanor Ainge Roy are on the ground in Christchurch and they say police commissioner Mike Bush has urged locals to return to their normal lives, to remain “vigilant” but to reject fear and reclaim the streets of their city.
But it was hard for residents to embrace routine and normality when a fleet of diggers were fanning out around the city, striking sodden autumn earth to prepare 50 graves for the burials of the victims that would begin on Monday. Experts in Islamic burial rights also converged on the city.
A steady stream of mourners brought wreaths to lay at Linwood mosque, targetted on Friday by the gunman, where a blessing was held on Monday morning.
Then there were the hundreds upon hundreds of flowers lying on the grass on Dean’s Avenue, near Al Noor mosque.
Scott Morrison has ended his speech now with a Maori blessing, which means “stay strong”.Scott Morrison has ended his speech now with a Maori blessing, which means “stay strong”.
“That’s my plan for Australia,” says Morrison.“That’s my plan for Australia,” says Morrison.
Morrison is in electioneering mode now, saying he’ll visit the governor general soon “not for a cup of tea, well, we might have a cup of tea, but to ask him to call an election”.Morrison is in electioneering mode now, saying he’ll visit the governor general soon “not for a cup of tea, well, we might have a cup of tea, but to ask him to call an election”.
He’s talking about returning the budget to surplus, having a strong economy to provide services to all Australians without raising taxes.He’s talking about returning the budget to surplus, having a strong economy to provide services to all Australians without raising taxes.
“Now is not the time for economic experiments, if it ever is,” he says.“Now is not the time for economic experiments, if it ever is,” he says.
On he goes, it’s the Liberal party sales pitch.On he goes, it’s the Liberal party sales pitch.
“Debate about immigration is not the same as the debate about the value of multiculturalism,” said Morrison, who is reassuring the audience that having concern about managing immigration, particularly in a city like Melbourne, does not make people racist.“Debate about immigration is not the same as the debate about the value of multiculturalism,” said Morrison, who is reassuring the audience that having concern about managing immigration, particularly in a city like Melbourne, does not make people racist.
“Just because Australians are frustrated by traffic jams does not mean they are anti-migrant and racist ... We cannot allow legitimate debates to be hijacked,” he said.“Just because Australians are frustrated by traffic jams does not mean they are anti-migrant and racist ... We cannot allow legitimate debates to be hijacked,” he said.
Morrison says the debate can be hijacked by either side of politics, and condemned those who used debates on immigration to stoke fear and hatred towards migrants.Morrison says the debate can be hijacked by either side of politics, and condemned those who used debates on immigration to stoke fear and hatred towards migrants.
“If we have a culture of us and them ... we will lose what makes diversity work in Australia and what makes us the most successful multicultural society in the world,” says Morrison.“If we have a culture of us and them ... we will lose what makes diversity work in Australia and what makes us the most successful multicultural society in the world,” says Morrison.
“The retreat to tribalism is taking over and for some the retreat to extremism is taking over.”“The retreat to tribalism is taking over and for some the retreat to extremism is taking over.”
Morrison says “this is true of the left and the right” and is especially true for those “shouting from the fringes” at the the “mainstream of quiet Australians who just want to get on with their life”.Morrison says “this is true of the left and the right” and is especially true for those “shouting from the fringes” at the the “mainstream of quiet Australians who just want to get on with their life”.
“Contempt is defined by the philosophy of the unsullied conviction in the worthlessness of another. That is where mindless tribalism takes us.“Contempt is defined by the philosophy of the unsullied conviction in the worthlessness of another. That is where mindless tribalism takes us.
“Last week it entered the lives of 50 fellow human beings including children who simply entered a mosque to pray.”“Last week it entered the lives of 50 fellow human beings including children who simply entered a mosque to pray.”
Morrison has announced an additional $55m in community safety funds.Morrison has announced an additional $55m in community safety funds.
He says priority will be given to places of worship and religious schools, and the money will go towards spending on security, including CCTV cameras.He says priority will be given to places of worship and religious schools, and the money will go towards spending on security, including CCTV cameras.
“When I say I believe in religious freedom... I know it has to start with the right to worship in safety, without fear of violence.”“When I say I believe in religious freedom... I know it has to start with the right to worship in safety, without fear of violence.”
Morrison says that as time goes by answers will come as to how the alleged gunman went without detection and is reiterating how little time the alleged gunman spent in Australia over the last few years and travelled widely, consuming a “smorgasbord of hate”.
“Where and how did his vile radicalisation take place? During the last three years the terrorist spent just 45 days in Australia, travelling extensively overseas.
“What laws need to change, what additional actions and precautions need to be taken? Answers to those questions will come with time, and must.
“Such questions are practical and necessary and can be posed and considered without the need for defensiveness or blame.
Morrison says that there have been prayers for “our Muslim brothers and sisters” in churches and synagogues, and people of all faiths and no faiths have reached across the ditch with thoughts and help.
Morrison says Australia has offered all assistance to New Zealand, saying New Zealand’s police and emergency responses are “world-class” but Australia’s offer shows the scale of the problem.
Scott Morrison is speaking in Melbourne and says the people of Australia are “rightly horrified and devastated and indeed ashamed” of what happened in Christchurch.
A terrorist attack committed by an Australian. “It’s hard to say,” says Morrison.
“New Zealand is family,” he says. “Like family we often squabble, we sometimes tease each other, but always when threatened, we stand together.”
“A country of good people, with a good heart,” says Morrison of New Zealand.
#BREAKING Christchurch teenager charged with distributing mosque rampage livestream: court pic.twitter.com/ApXXzgT2mt
Gun City managing director, David Tipple, who has confirmed that four firearms were purchased by the alleged gunman from its stores, is telling the press conference that Gun City did not sell the rifle used in the incident.
“I watched the video and saw the rifle... and it was not from any Gun City-affiliated store,” he said.
However, Tipple said he was not able to verify whether the shotgun used was bought from Gun City.
Tipple says all sales to the alleged gunman were online sales, over three or four orders, the first of which was about a month after the alleged gunman gained his gun license and the last was in March 2018.
Tipple is resisting attempts from journalists to ask about gun laws.
“This particular day is not about the gun debate,” said Tipple, despite the fact that Jacinda Ardern’s cabinet is currently meeting to discuss changing gun laws.
“Today, let’s talk about how these families are dealing with these tragedies committed by this madman.”
“This man wrote in his manifesto that the purpose of using a firearm was to divide us. If we allow him to make changes in our ideology and our behaviour, he has won.”
Tipple adds: “I had my grandson say to me: ‘Granddad, why do people think the guns were the problem? The guy was crazy.’ He is six years old.”
The alleged gunman bought four “A category” firearms and ammunition from Gun City online, said David Tipple, managing director of the store.
“All Gun City sales to this individual followed a police-verified online mail order process,” said David Tipple.
“I returned from Europe on Saturday and immediately searched all our purchase records and found the alleged gunman’s purchases. I provided the police with full details of the sales.
“We detected nothing extraordinary about this license holder.”
Tipple also confirmed that the military-style semi-automatic weapon used by the alleged gunman was not purchased at Gun City.
He said that Gun City would cooperate fully with the police, but urged journalists at the press conference not to ask questions that would turn the conversation into a “debate on guns”.
Tipple said he and Gun City staff extended their sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives.
“This tragedy has devastated us all,” said Tipple.
Australian senator Fraser Anning has held a press conference in which he discussed his comments after the Christchurch shooting linking the event to fears about immigration. He has been roundly condemned for the comments, and faces a censure in the Senate when parliament resumes.
In his press conference today, Anning refused to apologise over the original comments he made, he repeated his calls for a ban on Muslim immigration and said he is not sorry for hitting the 17-year-old boy who egged him.
Four hundred people attended a vigil at Tempelhof Field, Berlin, on Sunday evening toshow solidarity with Muslim communities in light of the terrorist attack in Christchurch.
The event was organised by a group of New Zealanders living in Berlin. While much of the crowd came from New Zealand and Australia, many were from elsewhere, includingGermany, Syria, Palestine, The United States of America, The United Kingdom and Turkey.
Berlin vigil co-organiser Jessica Reeves said, “We organised this event here in Berlin toshow the Muslim community all over the world that we stand with them. Instead ofexperiencing grief in isolation we hope people found strength and support in one another.”
New Zealand poet and musician Hinemoana Baker performed Whakaaria mai, andafter a minute of silence for the victims of the terrorist attack, led the 400-strong crowd in the waiata Te Aroha. Following the vigil, much of the crowd remained until sundown, meeting each other and chatting over tea and biscuits.
Co-organiser Hugh McDonald said, “Christchurch can feel a long way away from Berlin, so it felt comforting to come together as an international community to support one another and those affected.”
Vigil goer Jess Baker said, “The vigil warmed my heart. It was an important way for me to grieve for the New Zealand Muslim community from abroad.”
Trade Me, an auction and sales website in New Zealand, similar to Gumtree, has halted sales of semi-automatic weapons through its site, in the wake of the attacks, in response to public sentiment after the attack.
Trade Me CEO Jon Macdonald said: “We’re obviously still reeling, like all New Zealanders, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families and friends.
“We’ve had a lot of contact from Kiwis over the weekend about this issue, and many felt that we should stop the sale of these items in the wake of this attack. We’ve listened to these sentiments and we’ve put this ban in place while we await clear direction from the Government.”
Trade Me already restricted the types of firearms that can be listed to ‘A’ category firearms in sporting configuration, as commonly used by hunters, recreational shooters or in rural communities as tools on farms.
It does not allow the sale of military style semi-automatic weapons, parts which could change an ‘A’ category firearm into a military style semi-automatic weapons, pistols, or restricted weapons.
“But it is clear public sentiment has changed in relation to semi-automatic weapons and we acknowledge that, which is why we’re putting this ban in place,” said Macdonald. “There is a bit of work involved in doing this but we will have these listings removed later today.”
A cartoon in today’s New Zealand Herald.
Nazis and racists online - cartoon by @GuyKeverneBody in today's Herald about the complicity of those stoking hatred: pic.twitter.com/KSJsFjpnGW