NZ votes in gun reform

NEW Zealand’s parliament has passed sweeping gun laws that outlaw military style weapons, less than a month after the mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch where 50 people were killed.

A bill outlawing most automatic and semi-automatic weapons and banning components that modify existing weapons was passed by a vote of 119-1 in the House of Representatives after an accelerated process of debate and public submission.

The bill needs only the approval of New Zealand’s Governor-General, a formality, before becoming law today.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke emotionally during the bill’s final reading of the traumatic injuries suffered by victims of the March 15 attack, whom she visited in Christchurch Hospital after the shootings.

“I struggle to recall any single gunshot wounds,” Ms Ardern said.

The bill’s only dissent was from the libertarian ACT Party’s lone MP.