2024 RT Amination Banner.gif

China Daily

Asia Pacific> Asia News> Content
Thursday, April 11, 2019, 18:10
New Zealand's new gun laws get final assent to take effect
By Associated Press
Thursday, April 11, 2019, 18:10 By Associated Press

New Zealand Governor General Patsy Reddy, left, assisted by the Deputy Clerk of the House, Suze Jones, at Government House in Wellington, April 11, 2019, signs into effect sweeping gun laws outlawing military-style weapons, less than a month after a man used such guns to kill 50 people and wounded dozens at two mosques in Christchurch. (MARK MITCHELL / NEW ZEALAND HERALD / AP)

WELLINGTON — New Zealand's governor general on Thursday formally signed into effect sweeping gun laws outlawing military style weapons, less than a month after a man used such guns to kill 50 people and wound dozens at two mosques in Christchurch.

Governor General Patsy Reddy signed the bill as police said a gun buyback program will be announced to collect the now-banned weapons. The weapons will be illegal starting at midnight, but police said a brief amnesty program will be in effect until details of the buyback are announced.

The Government acted quickly to change New Zealand's firearms laws and Police is now responsible for implementing and enforcing these new laws

Michael Clement, Police Deputy Commissioner

ALSO READ: Thousands attend New Zealand vigil to honor 50 mosque dead

"For people who find themselves now in possession of a prohibited firearm, we ask you to please notify us," Police Deputy Commissioner Michael Clement said. "The collection of firearms will occur at a later stage. "He added that "for now, there is an amnesty in place and we ask people to please notify us," he added.

Anyone who retains such a weapon now faces a penalty of up to five years in prison. Exemptions allow heirloom weapons held by collectors or weapons used for professional pest control.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed by a final vote of 119 to 1 legislation banning the weapons after an accelerated process of debate and public submission.

"The Government acted quickly to change New Zealand's firearms laws and Police is now responsible for implementing and enforcing these new laws," Clement said.

In this April 2, 2019, file photo, Police acting superintendent Mike McIlraith shows New Zealand lawmakers in Wellington, New Zealand, an AR-15 style rifle similar to one of the weapons a gunman used to slaughter 50 people at two mosques. (NICK PERRY / AP)

Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, was charged with 50 counts of murder and 39 counts of attempted murder. The royal commission set up to investigate issues surrounding the massacre is examining how he obtained a gun license in New Zealand and purchased weapons and ammunition.

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.

READ MORE: Mosque massacre suspect to face 89 charges in court on April 5

In this March 17, 2019, file photo, a girl carries flowers to a memorial wall following the mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand. (VINCENT THIAN / AP)

"I struggle to recall any single gunshot wounds," Ardern said. "In every case they spoke of multiple injuries, multiple debilitating injuries that deemed it impossible for them to recover in days, let alone weeks. They will carry disabilities for a lifetime, and that's before you consider the psychological impact. We are here for them.""I could not fathom how weapons that could cause such destruction and large-scale death could be obtained legally in this country," she said.

Ardern, who has won international praise for her compassion and leadership since the shootings, was able to win rare bipartisan support for a bill that makes it illegal to own a military-style semi-automatic rifle. The only dissent was from the libertarian ACT Party's lone lawmaker in Parliament.

Share this story

CHINA DAILY
HONG KONG NEWS
OPEN
Please click in the upper right corner to open it in your browser !