Asia Pacific
10:20, 21-Mar-2019
New Zealand bans sale of assault, semi-automatic rifles
Updated
15:01, 21-Mar-2019
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06:11
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Thursday the country will ban the sale of all military-style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles after 50 people were killed in deadly shooting rampage at two Christchurch mosques on March 15.
Ardern said at a press conference that she expects the new law to be in place by April 11 and buy-back scheme will be established for those banned weapons.
She added that high capacity magazines and devices similar to bump stocks would also be banned.
"In short, every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attack on Friday will be banned in this country," she said.
Despite the ban, the bullet-riddled Al Noor mosque in Christchurch was also being repaired, painted and cleaned ahead of the Friday prayers, as grieving families buried more victims of New Zealand's worst mass shooting.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that Friday's call to prayers for Muslims will be broadcast nationally and there will be a two-minute silence.
Armed police have been guarding mosques around New Zealand after 50 people were killed last Friday by a lone gunman who attacked worshipers at two mosques in Christchurch.
“We will have a heightened presence tomorrow in order to provide reassurance to people attending the Friday call for prayers,” police said in a statement on Thursday.
Both mosques attacked, the Al Noor and nearby Linwood mosque, plan to be reopened. Thousands of worshipers are expected at the Al Noor mosque, where the majority of victims died.
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(With input from AFP and Reuters)