New Zealand bans semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles in reforms to gun laws following Christchurch terror attack

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said military-style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles would be banned under stronger new gun laws

The new law is expected to be in place by April 11 and a buy-back scheme will be established for banned weapons

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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: Bloomberg

Reuters,Agence France-Presse,The Washington PostandAssociated Press

Published: 11:13am, 21 Mar 2019Updated: 5:25pm, 22 Mar 2019

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday that military-style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles would be banned under stronger new gun laws following the terrorist attack which left 50 Muslims dead in the country’s worst mass shooting.

“Now, six days after this attack, we are announcing a ban on all military style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles in New Zealand,” she said. “On 15 March, our history changed forever. Now, our laws will too.”

Ardern said she expected the new law to be in place by April 11 and that a buy-back scheme would be established for banned weapons. “Related parts used to convert these guns into MSSAs are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines.”

The move came as two of the victims were laid to rest on Thursday.

Sayyad Ahmad Milne, a football-loving student who dreamed of playing for Manchester United, was praying at the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, as he did every Friday with his mother and friends, when the massacre happened.

Hundreds of mourners, many from Cashmere High School, wept and embraced as they bade farewell to their schoolmate Sayyad and another victim, 24-year-old junior football coach Tariq Omar.

A tribute for Tariq Omar at the Botanical Gardens in Christchurch. Photo: AP