The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern has announced that all military-style semi-automatics (MSSAs) as well as assault rifles are to be banned in the country. The announcement came at the aftermath of brutal mass shootings at two masjids in the city of Christchurch on 15 March 2019, that took 50 lives and injured several.

The terrorist had posted a 73 page manifesto, promoting white supremacy and Islamophobia prior to the attack on Friday. He also left a link on his twitter to a live stream of the attack, which has since been removed. The Prime Minister had said previously, that a ban on firearms will be announced within 10 days of the attack. Yesterday marked the sixth day since the attack.

The Prime Minister made the announcement regarding the ban, while speaking at a press conference yesterday at Wellington, New Zealand. She noted that the ban would encompass extensively to include all weapons that had been used in the Christchurch terror attack, and more. This would reportedly include military-style semiautomatic weapons (MSSAs), assault rifles, high-capacity magazines as well as any parts with the ability to convert any firearm into a military-style semiautomatic weapon. Any person found in possession of banner firearms after the amnesty period will face a fine of NZD 4,000 and a three year prison sentence.

The legislation on the ban will likely be passed within the first week of April, during New Zealand’s next Parliamentary sitting. Prime Minister Ardern said that the ban would be put into effect with incentives to hand over banned firearms with the ppssible implementation of a buy-back policy. She added that there would also be an amnesty period in place to allow gun owners the time to hand over firearms. The aim of the ban seems to strike a balance between legal usage and the safety of the people and is predicted to cost the government approximately NZD 100 to 200 million. While the population of New Zealand amounts to approximately 5 million people, officials have estimated that there are possibly 1.2 to 1.5 million guns in the country.

A week after the terrorist attack, and the call to prayers will be broadcasted across the country today at 1:30 pm after two minutes of silence while thousands are said to attend prayers.

The Funeral for some of the victims were held on Thursday. This includes the first victim of the terrorist attack – 71 year old Hati Mohammed Daoud Nabi who greeted the terrorist at the door of Masjid Al-Noor with “Hello brother, welcome”.