New Zealand follows through on weapons ban
Promised such in response to Mosque attacks
New Zealand will ban all military-style semi-automatic weapons, assault rifles
“We will ban all parts with the ability to convert semi-automatic or any other type of firearm into a military style semi-automatic weapon.”
– Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister, New Zealand
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expects the law to be passed by April 11.
In the meantime, sellers have been told to halt sales of the banned weapons immediately and to return their stockpiles to suppliers.
Residents caught with the banned guns will face penalties, including fines of up to $4,000 and/or three years in prison. Prime Minister Ardern noting the new law could increase these penalties.
A buy-back scheme will also be established, which Ardern says could cost between $100 million to $200 million, but adds it’s “a price that we must pay for the safety of our community.”
RELATED: New Zealand government promises gun law changes soon
The New Zealand government had made an in-principle decision to tighten gun ownership laws in a meeting immediately after the horrific shootings, which left 50 dead – the deadliest shooting in New Zealand history.
