Christchurch mosque shootings will spark New Zealand gun law changes, Jacinda Ardern says
Updated
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has flagged immediate changes to the country's gun laws in the wake of shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, where 49 people were killed.
Key points: Jacinda Ardern says five firearms were used in the mosque shootings
She says the shooter purchased them legally as he had a "category A" gun licence
New Zealand has attempted to change gun laws three times since 2005
Speaking at a media conference Saturday, Ms Ardern said Brenton Tarrant, the Australian man charged with murder and remanded in custody over the terrorist act, had allegedly used five firearms including two semi-automatic weapons, two shotguns and a lever-action firearm.
She said he had been in possession of a "category A" gun licence, obtained in 2017, which allowed him to legally obtain the weapons in December 2017, and that he was not on any watchlists prior to the attacks.
"While work has been done as to the chain of events that led to both the holding of this gun licence and the possession of these weapons, I can tell you one thing right now: our gun laws will change," she said.
"There have been attempts to change our laws in 2005, 2012 and after an inquiry in 2017. Now is the time for change.
"There are obviously questions being asked of how this person was able to enter the country and undertake this act of terror.
"I have instructed ODESC (Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination) to report to Cabinet on Monday on these events with a view to strengthening our systems on a range of fronts including, but not limited to, firearms, border controls, enhanced information-sharing with Australia, and any practice reinforcement of our watchlist processes."
Before Ms Ardern's announcement, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark told the ABC that while the country had gun control, there was room for improvement.
"We do have gun control. People have to be fit and proper persons to have guns. But undoubtedly, the law can be strengthened and improved," she said.
"Personally, I would be surprised if the New Zealand Parliament didn't accept that challenge head on to strengthen the law.
"I think we could do better, and a tragedy like this brings that forward as a priority."
Ms Ardern said the 28-year-old Australian had based himself in the city of Dunedin prior to the attack.
Ms Ardern said a fourth person who had been arrested while in possession of a firearm on Friday had been released, as they were a member of the public wanting to help authorities.
The two others were still being questioned.
Ms Ardern praised the police officers and emergency services involved in locking down Christchurch schools and offices, swiftly arresting the suspect, treating victims; and the defence specialists for defusing improvised explosive devices.
"Many of you may have seen the footage of the arrests, and I can only describe it as an act of bravery on behalf of all New Zealanders, and an act that shows very little regard for their own personal safety," she said.
"I also want to acknowledge ambulance staff who many will have seen acting swiftly under horrific conditions, and all medical staff who continue to work with those who are injured."
Topics: crime, law-crime-and-justice, government-and-politics, world-politics, new-zealand
First posted
An Australian, , aged 28, appeared in  District Court, New Zealand yesterday, charged with one count of murder pertaining to a  on Friday, which caused the death of at least 50 people. Judge Paul Kellar ordered the accused remain in custody until his next court appearance on April 5.

Police alleged the accused performed two attacks. The first attack reportedly was in  at about 13:40 local time (0040 ), which left at least 42 people dead. The second attack reportedly was in , killing at least eight people, on the same day. Brenton Tarrant did not apply for bail. Further charges may be laid in the future, police said.

Police arrested the accused in the neighborhood of Strickland Street, 36 minutes after the mass shooting in Al Noor Mosque according to police. After his arrest on Friday, Brenton stayed in the Christchurch central police station overnight before appearing in court on the next day.

Brenton Tarrant had a valid gun licence allowing him to buy weapons, ABC reported. According to New Zealand Prime Minister , Brenton had a licence for the five firearms he allegedly used for the attack — two semi-automatic, two shotguns, and one lever-action. Professor Greg Barton, Chair In Global Islamic Politics in the Faculty of Arts and Education at the , said "The attacker was using a couple of guns, one was a shotgun, one was an  — that's the so-called civilian equivalent of the . It's an ". The authorities seized these firearms.

Prime Minister Ardern said at a press conference yesterday morning the gun laws should be changed. She said, "I have instructed  Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination to report to Cabinet on Monday on these events with a view to strengthening our systems on a range of fronts including, but not limited to, firearms, border controls, enhanced information-sharing with Australia, and any practice reinforcement of our watchlist processes."

Brenton also allegedly released an anti-Muslim document online, outlining political motivation, prior to the murders. Social media have been struggling to censor the alleged gunman's videos of the murder, according to reports.