We’re going to wrap up the blog now, you can see our full story about the gun laws announcement here.
A reminder of what happened this afternoon:
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Jacinda Ardern announced sweeping an immediate changes to New Zealand’s gun laws, including the banning of assault rifles and military-style semi-automatics, following the Christchurch mosque shootings.
- Officials estimate that there are 1.2-1.5 million guns in a country of 5million people. They say they have “no idea” how many assault rifles are in circulation and roughly 13,500 military style semi-automatic weapons.
- Ardern also directed officials to develop a gun buyback scheme for those who already own such weapons. She said “fair and reasonable compensation” would be paid. The government estimates this will cost $100m - $200m
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Police have issued an apologising after wrongly listing a woman as the named murder victim of the mosque shootings when she was actually alive. The alleged gunman appeared in court last week where he faced one charge of murder, for a woman whose name was suppressed. The woman was connected to the shootings, but was still alive.
- Police commissioner Mike Bush announced that all 50 of the bodies of those killed in the shooting had been identified.
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Funerals continued throughout Thursday, including for Hati Mohammed Daoud Nabi, the 71-year-old man who opened the door of Al Noor mosque to the gunman, whom Ardern praised in her address to parliament on Tuesday.
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Twenty-eight people who were injured in Friday’s shootings are still in Christchurch Hospital, with six remaining in critical condition in intensive care. A four-year-old girl is also in critical condition in Starship Hospital in Auckland.
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Jacinda Ardern will return to Christchurch tomorrow for a nationwide reflection.
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The Muslim call to prayer will be broadcast around the country on television and radio at 1.30pm and will be followed by a two-minute silence at 1.32pm, at Hagley Park, opposite the Al Noor Mosque in Deans Ave, Christchurch. Thousands are expected to attend the event at Hagley Park.
Preparations are underway at Al Noor mosque for commemorations tomorrow – a week after the horrific attack.
The fire department is at Al Noor mosque in Christchurch removing the black forensic plastic. Cleaners have been in all day in preparation for tomorrow’s service, although I understand the service will be held in the park opposite because so many people are planning to attend.
— Calla Wahlquist (@callapilla) March 21, 2019
The midday prayer is at 1.37pm tomorrow. The call to prayer will be broadcast nationally at 1.30pm with a 2 minute silence to follow.
— Calla Wahlquist (@callapilla) March 21, 2019
New Zealand introduces major changes to gun laws – video
Nationwide reflection to be held tomorrow
A nationwide reflection for those killed in the Christchurch terror attack will be held tomorrow, Friday 22 March, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced.
The Muslim Call to Prayer at 1.30pm will be followed by a two-minute silence at 1.32pm, at Hagley Park, opposite the Al Noor Mosque in Deans Ave, Christchurch. This will be broadcast widely with New Zealanders encouraged to join in wherever they may be.
“I know many New Zealanders wish to mark the week that has passed since the terrorist attack and to support the Muslim community as they return to mosques,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“How we choose to reflect during the silence will be different for each of us. Everyone should do what feels right for them, wherever they are – at home, at work, at school.
“Planning is also continuing for a National Memorial Service, which will be held later next week.
“While it will be in Christchurch, we’re looking at how we can involve the rest of New Zealand.
“I appreciate there is significant interest in this Service from throughout New Zealand and internationally, and we will continue to work closely with the local Muslim community, Ngāi Tahu, FIANZ and Christchurch City Council to provide more information as soon as we can.
“As a nation, as one, we will pay our respects to those who died in Christchurch,” Jacinda Ardern said.
Woman listed as the murder victim of the shooting attack actually alive
Police have issued an apologising after wrongly listing a woman as the named murder victim of the mosque shootings when she was actually alive.
The alleged gunman appeared in court last week where he faced one charge of murder, for a woman whose name was suppressed. Further charges are expected to be laid in time.
The woman was connected to the shootings, but was still alive. Police say they have spoken to her and apologised and the charge sheet will be amended.
“An error was made in the charging document prepared for the first court appearance of the man charged with murder in relation to the Christchurch terror attacks. The error saw an incorrect victim name included in the charging document,” said a NZ police spokesperson.
“We have spoken with the person incorrectly named on the charging document and apologised.
“The charge sheet will be amended.
“New Zealand Police regret this error and apologies for any harm caused by the mistake.”
The mistake was spotted by a reporter for Stuff when they were trying to add up the number of those killed and kept reaching a total of 51 names – including the woman on the charge sheet – though police insisted the total was 50. They discovered the error was due to the named woman being alive.
Sandy Hook happened 6 years ago and we can’t even get the Senate to hold a vote on universal background checks w/ #HR8.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 21, 2019
Christchurch happened, and within days New Zealand acted to get weapons of war out of the consumer market.
This is what leadership looks like ⬇️ https://t.co/TcdR63anBt
Underneath Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s tweet there has been some heated discussion about gun ownership. This exchange is interesting:
I am a NZ firearms licence holder, I've served in our military. Keep your second amendment, we don't want it. There is no need for any civilian to own the weapons that are being banned. Freedom from being shot is more important than the freedom to own a deadly toy.
— Simon Duprier (@SuperiorMind) March 21, 2019
An update from David Meates, CEO of Canterbury District Health Board, where 28 people remain in hospital. His statement is below:
Twenty-eight people who were injured in Friday’s shootings are still in Christchurch Hospital, with six remaining in critical condition in intensive care.
One more person was well enough to be discharged from hospital with appropriate community supports, and two others have improved enough to be moved from ICU to other wards.
One four-year-old girl is still in a critical condition in Starship Hospital in Auckland and her father is in a stable condition in nearby Auckland City Hospital.
The people injured in the mosque attacks are still our priority for specialist care, which for some includes follow-up surgery and although we are closer to being able to resume our planned surgery schedule we will still need to postpone some surgeries for the remainder of this week to free up theatre space and surgical teams.
Anyone affected by rescheduling will be contacted individually, and we will be apologising for the delay and thanking them for their understanding.
As yesterday, most appointments at Christchurch Outpatients are going ahead as planned. If your appointment has to be postponed, we will contact you directly – any changes to our scheduling is purely to free-up key staff to support.
Meanwhile in Christchurch the funerals are continuing for those who were killed in Friday’s attacks.
‘These are reforms we can be proud of,’ says Police Association
The Police Association congratulates the government for demonstrating the courage to take decisive action and ban the firearms that have inflicted so much harm in New Zealand.
— NZ Police Association (@NZPoliceAssn) March 21, 2019
The Police Association has issued a statement congratulating the government “for demonstrating the courage to take decisive action and ban the firearms that have inflicted so much harm in New Zealand”.
Association President Chris Cahill says the reforms represent a fine balance between the practical requirements of legitimate firearms users throughout the country, and the need to protect society.
“I hope that the moves immediately attract cross party support because it is important for New Zealanders to know that their political leaders are all on board with this extremely important move,” Mr Cahill said.
Today’s order-in-council immediately moves to Category E class, all Category A semi-automatics that are not shotguns or .22 rifles.
“These are weapons that have been used to slaughter innocent children, women and men while they were at their most vulnerable – at prayer. It is a move we, as a community, can be proud of,” Mr Cahill said.
The Association welcomed the pledge to pass, under urgency in parliament, law that will ban all Category E weapons, including all MSSAs.
“These are significant and bold steps from the government and we applaud them for that. However, they are first steps, and the association looks forward to further reforms which need to follow shortly.”
The next steps need to include a reconsideration of a firearms registry so we do know how many firearms are in our country, and we need a review of the Arms Act.
“The act is dated and needs an overhaul sooner rather than later. Today we have the initial steps, but we should bear in mind that way back in 1997 the key recommendation of the Thorp report was for a full review of the act. We didn’t do it then, but we can make up for that by conducting a full review in the very near future,” Mr Cahill said.
“Today is an extraordinary day that was brought about by dreadful events. This Government has acted swiftly and is sending a message nationally and internationally that the types of weapons and equipment used to enhance the capacity of those weapons to kill many people are not welcome here.”
The Green Party is the next to welcome the government’s announcement on gun control changes.
Green Party co-leader James Shaw said: “Banning military style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles makes everyone safer. Banning these guns is the first step towards systemic changes to our gun laws.
“I welcome this announcement today, we just wish it wasn’t in such tragic circumstances.
“We owe it to the 50 people killed last Friday to ensure this never happens again.”
Opposition leader Simon Bridges welcomes gun law changes
Leader of the opposition Simon Bridges has released a statement welcoming the changes proposed by the government today to reform our firearms legislation.
“The terrorist attack in Christchurch last week has changed us as a nation.
“National has been clear since this devastating attack that we support changes to our regime and that we will work constructively with the Government.
“We agree that the public doesn’t need access to military style semi-automatic weapons. National supports them being banned along with assault rifles.
“We also support the Government’s proposals to limit the access to other high powered semi-automatic weapons and ammunition.
“We remain committed to ensuring the safety of New Zealanders and fighting extremism in all forms.
“National will work constructively with the Government to ensure we get this right.”
And the press conference has wrapped up.
Bush is now praising the police officers who brought the suspected gunman into custody. He says it took just 20 minutes for them to intervene and bring the man into custody, from when the attack started.
That’s a new number for us, previously we were told it took more than 30 minutes for the arrest to occur, but Jacinda Ardern said yesterday that the time was even shorter than police had previously said.
“I can tell you that every available armed resource responded so quickly to that event and our people acted with absolute courage with in 20 minutes to intervene with that person and bring them into custody.
“It was a very evolving, fast-moving event. That vehicle was identified by the two officers we know of and they acted with absolute courage, in fact, putting the safety of the public before their own to make that happen. I am hugely proud of what they did.”
“The first step is to encourage people to do it voluntarily,” said Bush. “I’m sure that the majority of people will do so. We will then be working with people to ascertain if they haven’t complied and once that period of grace or amnesty goes those people can, and in all likelihood will be prosecuted. So I encourage everyone in that situation so that you don’t become subject to prosecution, to contact us immediately or within the next few days at least.”
Bush warns people that once the amnesty period of three weeks is over, people who are still in possession of their MSSA or assault rifle will be breaking the law and “in all likelihood will be prosecuted”. He warns people to take it seriously and to hand in their firearms.
Bush has been asked about when the two mosques will be able to be opened again.
“We as investigators are working very hard to release those mosques as early as today,” he says. “Not only have we completed our crime scene investigations, but we are working to restore them in a way that is absolutely respectful to those people.”
Bush, once again, urges people not to simply walk into a police station with a firearm without calling ahead first. But again, he says police would prefer people to register their weapon online or via the phone line.
Bush says that the announcement by Ardern about the ban on sales of gun laws means that people who prior to 3pm were lawfully in possession of semi-automatic assault rifles and other guns “are no longer lawfully in possession” of those weapons.
He urged people to surrender weapons to police.
They are asking people who find themselves unlawfully in possession of the weapon to first contact police online where they will find online forms, contact police, and have the firearms placed into police custody.
For those who do not feel comfortable to do this, police have also set up a phone line for people to call and register with police to surrender their firearm. That number is 0800 311 311
Updated
All 50 victims of the attack have now been identified
Police commissioner Mike Bush is speaking now. He says as of a few minutes ago, the identification process for all 50 victims has been completed and all next of kin have been advised.
More than 120 people were involved in the identification process.
On the number of guns available in New Zealand, while Stuart Nash, the minister for police, said they “had no idea” how many assault rifles were in circulation, the government estimates there are between 1.2m and 1.5m firearms in the country.
We are expecting a press conference from the police in about 15 minutes, I’ll bring you updates from that when it begins.
Jacinda Ardern’s announcement today was the “first tranche” of reforms to gun laws for New Zealand and will be followed by a second tranche of legislation addressing other issues, like registration of gun owners.
“As I’ve said, what we’ve done here is taken out the guns out of circulation that aremost critical to be addressed urgently and that’s what we’ve announced, with essentially almost immediate effect,” said Ardern.
“There is more to be done and tranche two will look at issues around licensing, issues around registration, issues around storage. There are a range of other amendments that we believe do need to be made and that will be the second tranche of reforms yet to come.”
Cabinet will receive a paper on these issues on Monday about these second order issues. “I expect decisions to be made from there.”
The press conference has wrapped up. I’ll have some more quotes from you as they come through.
New Zealand 'has no idea' how many assault rifles they have in circulation
Ardern has been asked how many assault rifles there are in the country. Ardern says they don’t have a number for this, just as they don’t have a number for how many military-style semi-automatic weapons (MSSAs) are in the country.
The police minister says: “It’s part of the problem. The prime minister gave a figure for the buyback [$100m - $200m], the reason there’s such a large gap is we have no idea. We have an indicative set of numbers around MSSAs.”
Ardern says she anticipates broad support for these laws across the country, including New Zealanders who hold gun licences.
“In fact, I have had people unprompted tell me that they own guns and use them for legitimate purposes. Members of our rural communities and they support what we are doing.”
A journalist asks whether a decision like this could lead to a “whole lot of guns disappearing from the radar?”
Ardern says: “These guns already aren’t on the radar.”
Q&A - New Zealand's gun law changes explained
The press conference is still going on, but Ardern’s press team have sent over this Q&A.
1. What semi-automatic firearms will be affected by the ban?
The ban will apply to all firearms are now defined as Military Style Semi-Automatics (MSSAs) and will also include assault rifles.
2. What semi-automatic firearms will NOT be affected by the ban?
There is a balance to be struck between public safety and legitimate use. The changes exclude two general classes of firearms which are commonly used for hunting, pest control, stock management on farms, and duck shooting:
· Semi-automatic .22 calibre rimfire firearms with a magazine which holds no more than ten rounds
· Semi-automatic and pump action shotguns with a non-detachable tubular magazine which holds no more than five rounds
3. What semi-automatic firearms are affected by today’s Order in Council?
Two types of firearms are now defined as Military Style Semi-Automatics (MSSAs):
· A semi-automatic firearm capable of being used with a detachable magazine which holds more than five cartridges
· A semi-automatic shotgun capable of being used with a detachable magazine which holds more than five cartridges
4. I have an A-Category firearms licence and now own MSSAs. What should I do?
It would normally be an offence for an A-Category licence holder to possess an MSSA, punishable by up to three years in prison or a $4000 fine. However a transitional period gives time for people to comply with the law, if they take certain steps. The transitional period will be confirmed next month. Firearms owners who unlawfully possess an MSSA now have three options:
· Voluntarily surrender the firearm to Police for safe disposal.
· Complete an online form on the Police website to arrange for the MSSA to be collected, while details are finalised for compensation under a buy back scheme
· Sell or gift the firearm to a person who has an E-Category licence and a ‘permit to procure’ the weapon
5. Are Police geared up to receive large numbers of MSSAs?
Yes. They will work with the New Zealand Defence Force to enable safe storage, transport and destruction of MSSAs. Police are establishing an online form which will make it easier for firearms owners to arrange for Police to collect the MSSAs. The online form will go live over the weekend. It will not be practicable for firearms owners to physically return their weapons to Police stations without prior approval. Where extra administrative staff are required they will be hired on fixed-term contracts.
6. Will this lead to stockpiling of semi-automatics?
No. The changes under the Order in Council take effect immediately. Anyone who now unlawfully has an MSSA, which yesterday was a lawful firearm, needs to take steps to comply with the law.
7. Will some firearms dealers be breaking the law if they have these MSSAs in stock?
Some firearms dealers only hold A-category licences. In order to comply with the law, they could sell their stock of semi-automatics to a Category E licence holder or return them to their supplier.
8. What are the statistics for firearms licences and firearms in circulation?
· There are 245,000 firearms licences
· Of these, 7,500 are E-Category licences; and 485 are dealer licences
· There are 13,500 firearms which require the owner to have an E-Cat licence, this is effectively the known number of MSSAs before today’s changes
· The total number of firearms in New Zealand is estimated to be 1.2-1.5 million
9. What further issues are being considered?
Cabinet will consider further steps on 25 March. These will include measures to:
· Tighten firearms licensing and penalties
· Impose greater controls over a range of ammunition
· Address a number of other issues relevant to special interest groups such as international sports shooters and professional pest controllers, such as DoC.
· Future proof the Arms Act to ensure it is able to respond to developments in technology and society
10. How will the buyback work, and who will administer it?
Police, the Treasury and other agencies are working through the detail. More information will be available when the legislation is introduced next month. The compensation will be fair and reasonable based on firearm type, average prices and the age of firearms.
11. What is the cost of the buyback likely to be?
That is very difficult to judge, given the limited information about the total number of firearms affected by this change. Preliminary advice suggests it could be in the range of $100m-$200m. The buyback will ensure these weapons are taken out of circulation and that we fulfil our obligations under the law.
Ardern says that New Zealand has already sought international advice from countries like Australia regarding how to execute a buyback scheme.
She says they don’t know where the money will come from, but they will be able to give more information on this when they announce the details of the legislation.
'Don't waste your money' - ban comes into effect in three weeks
The police minister says the ban will come into effect in three weeks and that anyone who applies to buy a gun like this in the meantime is wasting their time.
Ardern says they do not know how many of these military-style semi-automatic weapons are in circulation in New Zealand and will need to be bought back.
“We’re very much in the dark as to how many of these are in circulation,” says Ardern.
Updated
There are lots of questions about the ins and outs of gun licensing. Ardern keen to separate out the administration of licensing, which is done by police, and the banning of these weapons.
Ardern was asked whether she expects support from the opposition on these reforms. She says she does.
“We have briefed the Opposition, but ultimately it is for them to determine their position but our hope is we will have consensus in the House.”
A journalist asks about people who illegally hold MSSAs.
Ardern replies: “Amnesty applies. We just want the guns back.”
New Zealand will increase the penalty for those who continue to use these guns
Jacinda Ardern says that the penalties will increase for those who don’t hand back these sorts of guns after the full ban comes into effect.
The police minister adds that police have power to go into license dealers and ask for records, and they will be doing this to check who still has these weapons.
Updated
Jacinda Ardern says the main things these laws will target is: weapons that can cause huge loss of life, that ammunition, and the ability to modify other guns to make them capable of taking large numbers of lives.
Journalists are asking about the difference between Australia’s gun laws and these new gun laws.
“Essentially the effect of this legislation will close that gap between Australia and New Zealand,” says Ardern.
“Australia had an exemption that allowed, for instance, farmers to seek permits to continue to use weapons like 22 for legitimate use. We have essentially received the same outcome but by looking at the specific weapons used for legitimate use by farmers but are not designed to under take the kind of horror and attack we saw on Friday,” she says.
Ardern also says that they have chosen not to have a permit system, as is used in Australia, but instead they have “designated those guns that need to be targeted.”
“We’ve targeted here the guns that are actually doing the harm in our community and we saw that on Friday.”
Ardern is now being asked how much this will cost. She says they are not sure of the exact price.
“The estimate that has been made by officials is that the buyback could cost anywhere between $100 million and $200 million. But that is the price that we must pay to ensure the safety of our communities,” she says.
The minister of police is now speaking, he says that police are “gearing up” to enable these weapons to be taken out of circulation. Police will be supported by the New Zealand defence force.
“Finally, I want to remind that it is a privilege and not a right to own a firearm in New Zealand,” he says.
Ardern reiterates that there are many legitimate reasons for having guns in New Zealand, but she says she believes the majority of New Zealanders will support these measures.
“It is about all of us. It is in the national interest and it is about safety. I will work hard to retain that support as we work on the remaining tranches of reform that we must make to prevent an act of terror happening in our country ever again,” she says.
Cabinet will meet on Monday and consider even further amendments to gun legislation, saying there are yet more loopholes that need to be closed. These will be announced in time, she says.
“This is just the beginning of the work we need to do,” she said.
Ardern announces gun buyback scheme
Ardern acknowledges that many people who have these weapons will have bought them legally. In recognition of this, she is instituting a buyback scheme. “Fair and reasonable compensation” will be paid to owners for their weapons.
Ardern encourages people to visit the police website and fill out an online form to arrange the return of their weapons. She encourages people not to simply walk into a police station with a weapon unannounced.
The ban on these weapons take place from 3pm today. She warns dealers that the sales of these weapons “should now cease” and that stores should return their stock to suppliers.
New Zealand to ban all military-style semi-automatic guns and assault rifles
Ardern says all weapons used in Friday’s terrorist attack will be banned.
She says: “I absolutely believe there will be a common view amongst New Zealanders, those who use guns for legitimate purposes, and those who have never touched one, that the time for the mass and easy availability of these weapons must end. And today they will.
“Today I am announcing that NewZealand will ban all military-style semi-automatic weapons. We will also ban all assault rifles. We will ban all high capacity magazines. We will ban all parts with the ability to convert semi-automatic or any other type of firearm into a military-style semi-automatic weapon. We will ban parts that cause a firearm to generate semi-automatic, automatic or close to automatic gunfire.
“In short, every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attack on Friday will be banned in this country.”
Ardern is speaking about the attempts that have been made to change New Zealand’s gun laws: “Those attempts were in 1999, 2005, 2012 and more recently through a select committee inquiry in early 2017. And still none of the changes that have been made in the past dealt with one of the most glaring issues that we have that sets New Zealand apart from many other nations - the availability of military-style semi-automatic weapons.”
Jacinda Ardern is speaking now. She is discussing gun laws, saying that previous reforms of gun laws “did not go far enough”.
Yesterday we reported that New Zealanders have begun handing in their firearms to police in the wake of Friday’s mass shooting in Christchurch which resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people.
New Zealand police said that, as of Tuesday night, at least 37 firearms had been handed in to police officers around the country.
The prime minister is expected to announce changes to gun laws in the coming days, including measures such as a ban on semi-automatic rifles, a plan that was flagged by her attorney general, David Parker, one day after the massacre.
She emerged from a long cabinet meeting on Monday, Jacinda Ardern said her team would take the rest of the week to work out the details after agreeing to make changes “in principle”, adding: “These aren’t simple areas of law. So that’s simply what we’ll be taking the time to get right.”
Until today I was one of the New Zealanders who owned a semi-automatic rifle. On the farm they are a useful tool in some circumstances, but my convenience doesn’t outweigh the risk of misuse.
— John Hart (@farmgeek) March 18, 2019
We don’t need these in our country.
We have make sure it’s #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/crLCQrOuLc
One of those who surrendered a firearm, was John Hart, who has a 20-hectare sheep and beef farm north of Masterton.
Hart, who ran as a Greens party candidate in the 2017 election, handed in his semi-automatic rifle to police on Monday in the wake of the shootings. Hart said that while the gun was useful for some tasks, it was “actually too dangerous to have around as a weapon”.
“For me, it became that trade-off: is my convenience worth the risk to other people’s lives by having these guns in the country? I pretty quickly realised there was no comparison. We’ll cope without semi-automatic weapons, we won’t cope without the people who were taken from us from these events.”
Good afternoon. Jacinda Ardern is set to make a policy announcement from Wellington at 3pm today (in about 10 minutes). We have not been told what sort of policy she will announce, but given the events of the last week, the money is on it being about changes to gun laws.
On Monday, days after Friday’s horrific attacks that left 50 people dead, Ardern announced that her cabinet had agreed “in principle” to reform New Zealand’s gun laws, but did not give any details of what these changes would be.
Yesterday, Ardern said New Zealand had a “large number of loopholes in our laws” when it came to gun ownership and that her team had been “working through the night” to bring forward proposals of changes to laws.
“I reflect, again, Australia, when they experienced a tragedy, a mass shooting in the 1990s, it took them 12 days. We will do it in less but only through extraordinary effort,” she said.
