BAN ON MILITARY-STYLE ASSAULT RIFLES
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a ban on militarystyle semi-automatic guns and assault rifles in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings.
She also announced immediate action to prevent stockpiling, and a buyback scheme that could cost between $100 million and $200m.
However, Cabinet had still to consider issues surrounding a gun register.
Speaking yesterday in Wellington, announcing the stronger gun laws, she said changes to the laws after the Aramoana massacre in 1990, and subsequent additions in following years, did not go far enough.
She reaffirmed there were a large number of loopholes in the laws.
‘‘On 15 March, our history changed forever. Now, our laws will too. We are announcing action today on behalf of all New Zealanders to strengthen our gun laws and make our country a safer place,’’ Ardern said.
All semi-automatic weapons such as those used during the terrorist attack last Friday would be banned. Related parts used to convert these guns into military-style semi-automatics (MSSAs) would also be banned, along with all high-capacity magazines.
An amnesty will be put in place for weapons to be handed in, and Cabinet had directed officials to develop a buyback scheme, she said.
‘‘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.’’
When Australia undertook similar reforms, its approach was to allow for exemptions for farmers upon application, including for pest control and animal welfare. New Zealand had taken similar action to identify the weapons legitimately required in those areas, and preclude them, she said.
‘‘Legislation to give effect to the ban will be introduced when Parliament sits in the first week of April. We will provide a short, sharp select committee process for feedback on the technical aspects of the changes. We are looking to progress the amendments to this legislation under urgency and expect these amendments to the Arms Act to be passed within the next session of Parliament,’’ Ardern said.
Police Minister Stuart Nash said the bill would include narrow exemptions for legitimate business use, which would include professional pest control.
Police and the NZ Defence Force would also have exemptions and issues such as access for mainstream international sporting competitions were also being worked through, he said.
‘‘We [acknowledge] some guns serve legitimate purposes in our farming communities, and have therefore set out exemptions for 0.22 calibre rifles and shotguns commonly used for duck hunting. These will have limitations around capacity.’’
While the legislation was being drafted, immediate action would be taken to restrict the potential stockpiling of these guns and encourage people to surrender their firearms, Nash said.