Automatic gun ban

Ardern sets amnesty for owners of ‘military-style’ weapons

NEW Zealand has banned the sale of assault rifles and semiautomatic weapons after the country’s worst massacre that killed 50 people.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush said immediate changes to classifications in the Arms Act ordered yesterday meant “some firearms are going to be reclassified as military-style semi-automatic firearms”, or MSSAs.

“This means for many people, you will now be in unlawful possession of your firearm,” he said, adding that there would be an amnesty to allow people to hand them in.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Government would stage a gun buyback that is expected to cost between $100-200 million.

“The attacker on 15 March took a significant number of lives using primarily two guns,” Ms Ardern said.

“They were assault rifles and they were purchased legally on an A-category gun licence, the standard licence held by gun owners in New Zealand. The capacity of these assault rifles was then enhanced using 30-plus round magazines, essentially turning them into military style semiautomatic weapons.

“While the modification of these guns was done illegally, it was done easily through a simple online purchase.”

Ms Ardern expected common agreement among New Zealanders that the time for owning such weapons was over and said she expected legislation to pass by April 11.

That includes any semiautomatic capable of being used in combination with a detachable magazine capable of holding more than five cartridges and semi-automatic shotguns capable of holding more than five cartridges.

Mr Bush said identification had now been confirmed on all 50 deceased and all would be released to their families to hold burials.

New Zealanders will hold a two-minute moment of silence today.