UP

New Zealand MPs vote to change gun laws

Home page Politics
12 Punto 14 Punto 16 Punto 18 Punto
New Zealand MPs vote to change gun laws

New Zealand's parliament has voted to ban all types of semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles following the Christchurch attacks.

Axar.az reports citing BBC.

The gun reform bill passed 119-1 after the final reading in parliament.

It is expected to become law within the next few days after receiving royal assent from the governor general.

PM Jacinda Ardern announced changes to the law after 50 people were killed last month by a suspected lone gunman at two mosques in Christchurch.

Holding back tears, she told parliament on Wednesday that they were there "because of the victims and families". She said that when she visited the injured in hospital none of them had just one gunshot wound.

"They will carry disabilities for a lifetime and that's before you consider the psychological impact," she said.

"These weapons were designed to kill, and they were designed to maim and that is what they did on the 15th of March," Ms. Ardern told MPs.

Australian Brenton Tarrant, a self-proclaimed white supremacist, faces 50 murder charges and 39 attempted murder charges.

What will change and how soon?

"Six days after this attack, we are announcing a ban on all military-style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles in New Zealand," Ms. Ardern said in a news conference last month.

"Related parts used to convert these guns into MSSAs are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines."

An amnesty has been imposed so the owners of affected weapons can hand them in, followed by a buy-back scheme.

Ms. Ardern said the buy-back could cost up to NZ$200m ($138m; £104m), but "that is the price that we must pay to ensure the safety of our communities".

The prime minister has called the Christchurch attacker a terrorist and said she will not utter his name.

The gunman, armed with semi-automatic rifles including an AR-15, is believed to have modified his weapons with high-capacity magazines - the part of the gun which stores ammunition - so they could hold more bullets.

Date
2019.04.10 / 15:52
Author
Axar.az
See also

Israeli FM Gideon Saar to visit Baku on January 26

US closely monitors Iran protests, may consider intervention

US sees South Azerbaijanis as key force in Iran, Analyst

Analyst warns Aden conflict may reshape Yemen’s future

Azerbaijan sent second batch of petroleum products to Armenia

France, UK, Germany condemn killing of protestors in Iran

Ukraine thanks Azerbaijan for humanitarian aid

World must not turn into ‘den of robbers’ in Trump rebuke

Yerevan and Baku exchange goods lists for potential trade

Trump’s real options for acquiring Greenland - Analysis

Latest
Xocalı soyqırımı — 1992-ci il Bağla
Bize yazin Bağla
ArxivBağla