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Christchurch shootings: New Zealand MPs vote to change gun laws Christchurch shootings: New Zealand MPs vote to change gun laws
(about 4 hours later)
New Zealand's parliament has voted to ban all types of semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles following the Christchurch attacks. New Zealand's parliament has voted to ban military-style semi-automatic weapons following the Christchurch attacks.
The gun reform bill passed 119-1 after the final reading in parliament.The gun reform bill passed 119-1 after the final reading in parliament.
It is expected to become law within the next few days after receiving royal assent from the governor general.It is expected to become law within the next few days after receiving royal assent from the governor general.
PM Jacinda Ardern announced changes to the law after 50 people were killed last month by a suspected lone gunman at two mosques in Christchurch.PM Jacinda Ardern announced changes to the law after 50 people were killed last month by a suspected lone gunman at two mosques in Christchurch.
Holding back tears, she told parliament on Wednesday that they were there "because of the victims and families". She said that when she visited the injured in hospital none of them had just one gunshot wound. Holding back tears, she told parliament on Wednesday that MPs were there "because of the victims and families". She said that when she had visited the injured in hospital none of them had had just one gunshot wound.
"They will carry disabilities for a lifetime and that's before you consider the psychological impact," she said."They will carry disabilities for a lifetime and that's before you consider the psychological impact," she said.
"These weapons were designed to kill, and they were designed to maim and that is what they did on the 15th of March," Ms Ardern told MPs. "These weapons were designed to kill, and they were designed to maim and that is what they did on the 15th of March."
Australian Brenton Tarrant, a self-proclaimed white supremacist, faces 50 murder charges and 39 attempted murder charges.Australian Brenton Tarrant, a self-proclaimed white supremacist, faces 50 murder charges and 39 attempted murder charges.
What will change and how soon? What will change?
"Six days after this attack, we are announcing a ban on all military style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles in New Zealand," Ms Ardern said in a news conference last month. The new rules make changes to 1983 gun laws which have been the subject of several reform attempts.
"Related parts used to convert these guns into MSSAs are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines." They prohibit military-style semi-automatic weapons and parts that can be used to assemble prohibited firearms.
An amnesty has been imposed so the owners of affected weapons can hand them in, followed by a buy-back scheme. The gunman, armed with semi-automatic rifles including an AR-15, is believed to have modified his weapons with high-capacity magazines so they could hold more bullets. The magazine is the part of the gun which stores ammunition.
Ms Ardern said the buy-back could cost up to NZ$200m ($138m; £104m), but "that is the price that we must pay to ensure the safety of our communities". Those breaking the new laws will face between two and ten years in jail. An amnesty will be in place until the end of September.
The prime minister has called the Christchurch attacker a terrorist and said she will not utter his name. Who opposed the bill?
The gunman, armed with semi-automatic rifles including an AR-15, is believed to have modified his weapons with high-capacity magazines - the part of the gun which stores ammunition - so they could hold more bullets. David Seymour, leader of the ACT party, was the only MP to come out against the bill, although he did not oppose the proposed changes to gun laws.
What are semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles? He said the bill was "not an attempt to improve public safety" but "an exercise in political theatre".
Sources: Violence Policy Center and assaultweapon.info He said he believed the rush to put the bill through the house had made the law worse than doing nothing.
Jacinda Ardern said parliament was "almost entirely united". "I cannot imagine circumstances where that is more necessary than it is now," she added.
Victims of the Christchurch shootingsVictims of the Christchurch shootings