Following the terrorist attack that took place at two separate mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, the country will ban the sale of assault rifles and semi-automatic guns. The announcement, which was made on Thursday, comes only six days after a gunman killed 50 people during Friday Prayer on March 15. It was the nation's deadliest mass shooting.
"Today I am announcing that New Zealand will ban all military-style semi-automatic weapons. We will also ban all assault rifles," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
Ardern continued: "We will ban all high-capacity magazines. 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. We will ban parts that cause a firearm to generate semi-automatic, automatic or close to automatic gunfire. In short, every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attack on Friday will be banned in this country."
"Every semi-automatic weapon used in the [Christchurch] terrorist attack will be banned in this country."
New Zealand PM @JacindaArdern moves to ban all military style weapons, effective immediately https://t.co/KDsydPBHM4 pic.twitter.com/8z5rUwP5eR
The legislation is expected to be ready by April 11. Ardern also said that a buy-back program will be put into place for the newly banned weapons.
MORE: “My expectation is that the law will be in place by the end of the next two-week sitting session, which is by the 11th of April.”
New Zealand prime minister announces sweeping gun law changes: https://t.co/GsU5UqG8te pic.twitter.com/R4lZxazV4L
