By Celestine Osemeilu
Following last week’s terrorist attack which left over 40 dead in a live streaming mosque shooting in New Zealand. The country is now set to ban the sales of assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons following the mass shootings at two Christchurch mosques.
The Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern in a press conference on Thursday said the new law should be in place by April 11.
“Now, six days after this attack, we are announcing a ban on all military-style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles in New Zealand,” Ardern said.
She promised the citizens that the ban is just the beginning among other things that will be done in the country to assure the safety of the people.
“Be assured this is just the beginning of the work we’ll be doing, It’s in the national interest and it’s about safety… to prevent an act of terror from ever happening again in our country.”
According to the Prime Minister, the gunman arrested had purchased his weapons legally and enhanced their capacity by using 30-round magazines “done easily through a simple online purchase”.
“Related parts used to convert these guns into MSSAs are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines.”
“In short, every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attack on Friday will be banned in this country.”
