‘Time to act’ over gun laws
As the country enters its fourth day of mourning after the Christchurch mosque shootings, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has indicated swift gun law reform.
In a post-Cabinet press conference last night, Ardern said Cabinet had made unified, ‘‘in-principle’’ decisions around gun law reform.
She said that within 10 days, reforms would be announced ‘‘which will have made our communities safer . . . The time to act is now’’.
Fuller details would be released before next Monday’s post-Cabinet.
There would also be an inquiry 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, 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 said yesterday it was removing all semi-automatic firearms and associated parts sales.
Last night, Police Commissioner Mike Bush said the investigation was the largest ever undertaken by police. There were 250 detectives and specialists working on the investigation, as well as world authorities.
Bush said while police believed Tarrant was the main attacker, ‘‘that doesn’t mean there weren’t . . . other people in support’’.
For weeks to come, police would have high visibility, and most officers would have immediate access to firearms.
He was aware of Ardern’s announcement, and said police would ‘‘stand ready’’ for people surrendering their firearms.
There are still 31 patients injured in the attacks in Christchurch Hospital. Nine of them are in a critical condition.
A 4-year-old girl named Alen is fighting for her life in a critical condition in Starship children’s hospital in Auckland. Her father, Wasseim Alsati, is in a serious but stable condition in Auckland Hospital.
Yesterday, Ardern opened a national condolence book in Parliament, alongside Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy.
More than $5 million had been donated towards victim support through Givealittle by last night – the most ever for a campaign since Givealittle started in 2008.
In two other fundraisers, $2m and $140,000 were raised, bringing the total to more than $7m.
Police began to release victims’ bodies to their families yesterday. It’s hoped all bodies would be returned to families by tomorrow.
Traditionally, Muslims bury their loved ones within 24 hours, but this hasn’t been possible due to the police investigation.
Gun City owner David Tipple admitted selling four category-A firearms, and ammunition, between November 2017 and March 2018, to Tarrant.
However, Tipple denied selling him a semi-automatic rifle, or magazines.
Stuff revealed Tarrant worked out obsessively at a Dunedin gym directly opposite a Muslim early childhood centre.
In Australia, counter-terrorism police raided the home of Tarrant’s sister Rosie, and his mother Sharon’s boyfriend. They said they were working to obtain material to help New Zealand Police.