New Zealand MPs vote to change gun laws

Marty MELVILLE / AFP

Lawmakers in New Zealand voted almost unanimously on Wednesday to change gun laws, less than a month after 50 people were killed in Christchurch mosque attacks.

 

The parliament passed the gun reform bill by 119 to 1. 

It must now receive royal assent from the governor general to become law.

"There have been very few occasions when I have seen parliament come together in this way, and I can't imagine circumstances when it is more necessary," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

Earlier, Ardern had banned the sale of all military-style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles just six days after the March 15 shooting.

More from International News

  • Netanyahu says Israel to decide which international forces in Gaza acceptable

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday Israel would determine which foreign forces it would allow as part of a planned international force in Gaza to help secure an end to its war under US President Donald Trump's plan.

  • Two suspects in Louvre jewel heist case arrested in Paris

    Two suspects in the brazen daylight heist of some of France's crown jewels from the Louvre were arrested in Paris on Saturday evening and are being questioned, Le Parisien newspaper reported on Sunday, citing sources close to the investigation.

  • Russian attack on Kyiv kills three, injures 31

    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for new strong sanctions against Russia and its allies after Russian drones killed three and injured 31, including six children, in an overnight air attack on Kyiv.

  • PKK announces withdrawal from Turkey

    The outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) said on Sunday it was withdrawing from Turkey as part of a disarmament process it is coordinating with the government, and pressed Ankara for concrete measures to move the process along.

Blogs