‘Time to act’ on gun laws

As the country enters its fourth day of mourning in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has indicated swift gun law reform.

In a post-Cabinet press conference yesterday evening, Ardern said Cabinet had made ‘‘unified’’, in-principle decisions’’.

She said that within 10 days, reforms would be announced ‘‘which will have made our communities safer . . . The time to act is now’’.

There would also be an inquiry held, looking into the specific circumstances leading up to the terrorist attack, which would include looking at what authorities knew about the perpetrator, and whether the attack could have been prevented.

A national commemoration for the attack would be held but not this week, Ardern said.

The news on possible gun reform came amid revelations Kiwis have been stockpiling semi-automatic weapons following the attacks allegedly committed by self-described white supremacist Brenton Tarrant, 28.

Online auction site Trade Me announced it was removing all listings of semi-automatic firearms and associated parts.

There are still 31 patients who were injured in the attacks in Christchurch Hospital. Nine of them are in a critical condition.

A 4-year-old girl named Alen is also fighting for her life in a critical condition in Starship Hospital in Auckland, alongside her father, Wasseim Alsati, who is in a serious but stable condition.

Most schools reopened in Christchurch yesterday, with the exception of Hagley College, acting as a welfare centre, which was to open today.

Yesterday morning, Ardern opened a national condolence book in Parliament, alongside Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy.

Another condolence book at the National Library in Molesworth St in Wellington was also available for people to sign.

More than $5 million was donated towards victim support through Givealittle by yesterday evening – the most ever for a campaign since Givealittle started in 2008. In two other fundraisers, $1.9m and $140,000 have been raised, bringing the total to more than $7m.

Police began to release victims’ bodies to their families yesterday. It was hoped all bodies would be returned to families by tomorrow. Traditionally, Muslims would bury their loved ones within 24 hours, but this hasn’t been possible due to the police investigation.

Gun City’s owner David Tipple admitted selling the murder-accused four category-A firearms, and ammunition, between November 2017 and March 2018.

However, Tipple denied selling Tarrant a semi-automatic rifle, or magazines.

Corrections staff confirmed Tarrant was being held in a specialist security facility, where he’s segregated from other prisoners and being monitored 24/7.

He remains in custody, charged with one count of murder. Further charges are likely.

Tarrant plans to represent himself in court from this point on.