Jacinda Ardern says the government approves "in principle" gun reform in New Zealand | News from the world

Jacinda Ardern said her cabinet was "completely unified" in gun law reform as a result of the Christchurch terrorist attack, but it came out of a meeting with ministers without concrete proposals to amend the firearms laws.

The New Zealand prime minister was expected to announce measures such as the ban on semi-automatic rifles, a plan put forward by his attorney general, David Parker, a day after the mbadacre that claimed the lives of 50 people.

However, after coming out of a long cabinet meeting, Ms Ardern said her team would take the rest of the week to settle the details after agreeing to make changes "in principle". The agreement was reached just 72 hours after the attack, she said, comparing her response time to that of the Australian government after the Port Arthur mbadacre.

"In the ten days following this horrific terrorist act, we will have announced reforms that, I think, will make our community safer," Ardern said at a news conference.

"These areas of law are not simple. So that's just what we're going to take the time to do well, "she said.

A few hours before the appearance of Ardern, TradeMe, the largest online auction site in the country, banned semi-automatic products and accessories "badociated", saying that "public opinion has clearly changed" .

On Monday, an 18-year-old man was charged with distributing a live broadcast of the mbad shootings and was denied bail. He reportedly published a photo of one of the attacked mosques with the message "Target Acquired", among other discussion messages "inciting extreme violence," reported the New Zealand Herald. His name has been removed and he is scheduled to appear in court next month.

Earlier efforts to amend firearms laws have failed in 2005, 2012 and 2017. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, whose New Zealand party has still not supported the recommendations to restrict firearms laws. Firearms laws, said Monday after Friday's attacks: "Our world has changed some of our laws."

Ardern also announced Monday that an investigation would be open on the events leading up to the shooting, including on the suspect's movements and the use of social media, and on whether the concerns expressed by Muslim citizens had been taken seriously.

She urged firearms owners to surrender their weapons and advised anyone considering buying a firearm to wait a few days before informing them of the laws before they go out. 39; invest.

Earlier, David Tipple, general manager of the Gun City retailer, confirmed that his company had sold the four suspicious weapons to the suspect, but the gun he used to shoot the mosque was not one of them. His views on gun control would not be drawn, but the firearms in question were not involved.

"My grandson told me," Grandpa, why do people think guns are a problem? The guy was crazy. He's six, "Tipple told a news conference.

Earlier Monday, TradeMe banned the sale of all semi-automatic weapons and their "badociated" accessories. Its chief executive, Jon Macdonald, said the ban would be re-examined once future firearms laws would be clarified.

"We had a lot of Kiwi contacts over the weekend about this and many felt that we should stop selling these items as a result of this attack. We listened to these sentiments and put this ban in place until the government tells us clearly. "

The focus was on semi-automatic military type rifles equipped with high-capacity chargers on the weekend after Ardern had stated that the weapons used in the attack had been modified and that the loopholes allowing such modifications would be closed.

Arms control experts told the Guardian that such weapons can easily be converted into military-style semi-automatic rifles using a high-capacity magazine, which is not regulated in New Zealand. .

The Attorney General said such rifles would be banned after Friday's attack suspect had discovered five firearms, including two semi-automatic ones.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush has urged residents to return to their normal lives, to remain "vigilant" but to reject fear and recover the streets of their city.

But on Monday, it was difficult for residents to adhere to routine and normalcy as diggers scattered around the city preparing 50 graves. Experts in Islamic burial rights have also converged on the city.

Raf Manji, Christchurch City Councilor and Muslim, told Nine at noon, "There is a feeling of fatigue. The weekend has been very long and difficult, and I think people will be a little washed out and happy to be back at their workplaces and to study and meet with their friends and colleagues.

"People who gather will be good for the city. It's an attack on the whole community. We are talking about the Muslim community, but they are only part of us, they are part of our normal daily life. The way the public came here shows that the community rejects what has happened to them. "

The reactions were different as a result of the attack. In Panch, the Christchurch gun retailer began buying panic. A customer, Rick, said Sunday afternoon that there was no reason for anyone to buy a semi-automatic in addition to "cool air". "They are far too strong for hunters, they will tear any animal," said Rick, who hunts deer.

According to reports, others have chosen to hand over their firearms after the events of Friday.

Simon Bridges, Leader of the National Opposition Party, said he understands that firearms laws must change and that his party would work "constructively" with the government to speed up stricter controls, with a ban on firearms. semi-automatic "probably the right way to go".

"I'm open to change," said Bridges to Radio NZ.

The police badociation also stated that it fully subscribed to such projects. Its chairman, Chris Cahill, said: "Jacinda Ardern has insisted that New Zealand's firearms laws will change … I totally agree with her. It is disgusting that it took this horrible event to awaken us to our vulnerability. "

According to the 2017 Small Arms Survey, New Zealand civilians own about 1.2 million guns. In New Zealand, the per capita firearms ownership rate is therefore higher than Australia's, but remains well below that of the United States, where there is more than one firearm per person.

The country's firearms legislation has remained essentially unchanged since 1992, when tightening controls after the 1990 Aramoana mbadacre, during which a man killed 13 people with a semi-automatic rifle.

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