According to the New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand’s cabinet has backed gun law changes “in principle” after the unfortunate mass shooting last Friday 16th March, 2019 which took place in Christchurch.
Jacinda Ardern stated that the mass shooting sparked a reaction nationwide that lead to the calls for legal reform after the attack. She added by calling on all member of cabinet to change gun law in the country. Rumours from different sources had claimed that she is gunning for outright banning of semi-automatic rifles.
Jacinda Ardern explained that she is planning to make public details of her planned reforms by 25th March, 2019. She stated that, “This ultimately means that within 10 days of this horrific act of terrorism we will have announced reforms which will, I believe, make our community safer.” She added the cabinet has made a decision and they are united with the decision.”
This decision to review gun law in New Zealand is as a result of the terrorist-like mass shooting carried out by a 28-year-old Australian, Brenton Tarrant which left fifty (50) people dead and several others wounded in attacks at two mosques on Friday 16th March, 2019. Brenton Tarrant had already appeared in court and he is currently being tried after being charged with murder.
As a response to the tragedy, unconfirmed reports have stated that many New Zealanders are handing their guns to the police, a development which was applauded by the prime minister. Jacinda Ardern also dispelled rumours that people are currently engaging in panic buying of weapons for self protection.
The attacked had called for different reactions from New Zealanders, which include the call by the New Zealand’s Police Association for the banning of all semi-automatic weapons. Although there has been a longstanding campaign to reform gun laws in the country, all efforts have failed due to a strong gun lobby and a culture of hunting. This has however made it very difficult for a smooth legislation for the banning of automatic and semi-automatic weapons.
Unconfirmed statistics put ownership firearms in New Zealand at an estimated 1.5 million privately owned firearms and the current minimum legal age to own a gun is 16, or 18 for military-style semi-automatic weapons.
According to Jacinda Ardern, the Christchurch suspect had a gun licence, which he acquired in 2017, and owned five guns. The arms retailer Gun City has said that the weapons used by Brenton Tarrant during the mass shooting were never sold to him by the company.
In response to the mass shooting, the local rugby club the Crusaders is going to consider changing its name due to concerns over sensitivity. The wars between Christians and Muslims in the 11th and 13th centuries were known as the Crusades. This is a thing they wouldn’t want their club to identify with.
Analysis showed that most of the victims involved in the mass shooting were refugees who fled unfavourable conditions in their countries to New Zealand where they thought could provide them with safety and better life conditions lacking in their countries.
