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Christchurch mosque shootings: New Zealand to ban military style weapons Christchurch mosque shootings: New Zealand to ban military style weapons
(about 1 hour later)
New Zealand will ban all types of semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles following the Christchurch attacks, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said.New Zealand will ban all types of semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles following the Christchurch attacks, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said.
The country's gun laws have been in the spotlight since 50 people were killed at two mosques last Friday. The announcement comes less than a week after 50 people were killed at two mosques, allegedly by a lone gunman.
Ms Ardern said she expected new legislation to be in place by 11 April, saying: "Our history changed forever. Now, our laws will too."Ms Ardern said she expected new legislation to be in place by 11 April, saying: "Our history changed forever. Now, our laws will too."
All of the dead have now been formally identified, police have confirmed.All of the dead have now been formally identified, police have confirmed.
One man has been charged with one murder. Australian Brenton Tarrant, a self-proclaimed white supremacist, is expected to face further charges.One man has been charged with one murder. Australian Brenton Tarrant, a self-proclaimed white supremacist, is expected to face further charges.
However, police said on Thursday that the person he has formally been accused of murdering was wrongly declared to be dead.
They said they had apologised to the woman and her family, and that the charge sheet would be updated when the suspect next appeared in court on 5 April.
What will change and how soon?What will change and how soon?
"Six days after this attack, we are announcing a ban on all military style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles in New Zealand," Ms Ardern said. "Six days after this attack, we are announcing a ban on all military style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles in New Zealand," Ms Ardern said in a news conference.
"Related parts used to convert these guns into MSSAs are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines.""Related parts used to convert these guns into MSSAs are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines."
She said an amnesty and a buy-back scheme would be imposed so the owners of affected weapons could hand them in. An amnesty and a buy-back scheme is being imposed so the owners of affected weapons could hand them in.
Ms Ardern said the buy-back could cost "anywhere between $100m ($69m; £52m) and $200m. But that is the price that we must pay to ensure the safety of our communities". Ms Ardern said the buy-back could cost up to NZ$200m ($138m; £104m) but that "that is the price that we must pay to ensure the safety of our communities".
The prime minister has said the killings were a terrorist attack. The prime minister has called the Christchurch attacker a terrorist and said she will not utter his name.
The lone gunman, armed with semi-automatic rifles including an AR-15, is believed to have modified his weapons with high-capacity magazines.The lone gunman, armed with semi-automatic rifles including an AR-15, is believed to have modified his weapons with high-capacity magazines.
The prime minister said measures were already in place to prevent a rush of gun-buying before the law comes in, including a range of semi-automatic weapons being reclassified, making them harder to buy. Ms Ardern said measures had also been introduced to prevent gun stockpiling before the law changes.
"I can assure people, that there is no point in applying for such a permit," she said. As of Thursday, several weapons have been reclassified as military style semi-automatic firearms, making them harder to buy.
"For many people, you will now be in unlawful possession of your firearm," Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.
He urged affected gun owners to call police or access their website for instructions, and to avoid turning up at police stations with their weapons.
What did the PM tell gun owners?What did the PM tell gun owners?
Ms Ardern said she knew many gun owners had "acted within the law". She said many gun owners had "acted within the law" but that "the vast majority of legitimate gun owners in New Zealand will understand that these moves are in the national interest".
"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," she said. As with Australia's gun reforms in 1996, exemptions will be made for farmers who need weapons for pest control and animal welfare.
As with Australia's gun reforms in 1996 exemptions will be made for farmers legitimately needing weapons for pest control and animal welfare. Police minister Stuart Nash, who was present at the prime minister's press conference, said it was "a privilege and not a right to own a firearm in New Zealand".
Police minister Stuart Nash, also at the announcement, said it was "a privilege and not a right to own a firearm in New Zealand".
He encouraged gun owners with weapons affected by the ban to phone police to arrange surrendering them.
Victims of the Christchurch shootings
How will the law be changed?How will the law be changed?
Ms Ardern said the legislation would be introduced when parliament sits in the first week of April.Ms Ardern said the legislation would be introduced when parliament sits in the first week of April.
There would be a "short, sharp select committee process" for feedback on technical aspects of the law, she said, and changes to the Arms Act should be passed within the next session.There would be a "short, sharp select committee process" for feedback on technical aspects of the law, she said, and changes to the Arms Act should be passed within the next session.
Once the amnesty period ends, anyone in possession of a banned weapon would face a fine of up to NZ$4,000 and three years in jail.Once the amnesty period ends, anyone in possession of a banned weapon would face a fine of up to NZ$4,000 and three years in jail.
Analysis: An overwhelming drive for changeAnalysis: An overwhelming drive for change
By Phil Mercer in ChristchurchBy Phil Mercer in Christchurch
New Zealand has tried - and failed - to reform its gun laws several times in the past two decades, but the momentum for change is now overwhelming. Owners will be forced to surrender proscribed firearms and will be compensated, but those who resist could be prosecuted.New Zealand has tried - and failed - to reform its gun laws several times in the past two decades, but the momentum for change is now overwhelming. Owners will be forced to surrender proscribed firearms and will be compensated, but those who resist could be prosecuted.
A major hurdle for the authorities is that no-one knows how many assault rifles and military-style semi-automatic weapons are out there. New Zealand's Police Association has said there also needs to be a register of all guns and their owners.A major hurdle for the authorities is that no-one knows how many assault rifles and military-style semi-automatic weapons are out there. New Zealand's Police Association has said there also needs to be a register of all guns and their owners.
That could happen in the next round of amendments promised by the prime minister, which will focus on licensing and registration. She has broad public support following the atrocities in Christchurch.That could happen in the next round of amendments promised by the prime minister, which will focus on licensing and registration. She has broad public support following the atrocities in Christchurch.
Earlier, MPs in the capital, Wellington, were handed a petition with more than 65,000 signatures demanding tougher laws. Some gun owners aren't happy, insisting that vetting procedures were already strict enough. They are, though, swimming against the tide.Earlier, MPs in the capital, Wellington, were handed a petition with more than 65,000 signatures demanding tougher laws. Some gun owners aren't happy, insisting that vetting procedures were already strict enough. They are, though, swimming against the tide.
What has the reaction been?What has the reaction been?
Survivor Kawthar Abulaban, 54, who was at the Al Noor mosque, welcomed the move: "It's a good thing, why would we need to have guns like this in our houses?" she told AFP.Survivor Kawthar Abulaban, 54, who was at the Al Noor mosque, welcomed the move: "It's a good thing, why would we need to have guns like this in our houses?" she told AFP.
The leader of New Zealand's opposition National Party, Simon Bridges, backed the changes and said it was "imperative in the national interest [that] we keep New Zealanders safe."
The move drew strong responses in the US, where campaigners against gun violence frequently clash with the pro-gun lobby.The move drew strong responses in the US, where campaigners against gun violence frequently clash with the pro-gun lobby.
Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders called for America to follow New Zealand's lead, tweeting: "This is what real action to stop gun violence looks like."Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders called for America to follow New Zealand's lead, tweeting: "This is what real action to stop gun violence looks like."
In response, National Rifle Association (NRA) spokeswoman Dana Loesch cited the Second Amendment of the US constitution, which gives Americans the right to carry guns.In response, National Rifle Association (NRA) spokeswoman Dana Loesch cited the Second Amendment of the US constitution, which gives Americans the right to carry guns.
"The US isn't NZ," she tweeted. "While they do not have an inalienable right to bear arms and to self defense, we do.""The US isn't NZ," she tweeted. "While they do not have an inalienable right to bear arms and to self defense, we do."
What are New Zealand's current gun laws?
BBC Reality Check: What are New Zealand's gun laws?