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Christchurch Attack

New Zealand Just Banned Assault Rifles, Sets Up Gun Buyback Scheme Following Christchurch Terror Attack

Australia introduced a similar scheme following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

Following the terror attack on two Christchurch mosques on March 15 that left 50 dead and several wounded, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern vowed to reform the country’s gun legislation as quickly as possible.

Today, March 21, she delivered. Ardern announced at a press conference in Wellington that every semi-automatic weapon used in the Christchurch attack will be banned in New Zealand, starting almost immediately.

Ardern acknowledged that many people would have purchased weapons legally and the government will be introducing a gun buyback scheme in which gun owners will receive “fair and reasonable compensation”.

The Prime Minister also warned that those who don’t hand back any banned guns after the full ban comes into effect will be hit with increased penalties.

Clarifying some aspects of the ban, Ardern stated that people won’t be able to purchase any of the outlawed guns between now and when the ban comes into effect, and the estimated cost of the buyback scheme will range from $100-$200 million, based on preliminary data. More details regarding the ban and gun buyback scheme will be available next month when the legislation is introduced to parliament.

This won’t be the only gun legislation amendment, as Ardern says Cabinet will meet again on Monday to discuss the closing of more loopholes.

The reform of New Zealand’s gun laws echoes back to when Australia introduced its own gun legislation reform back in 1996 following the Port Arthur massacre.

The attack occurred just weeks into John Howard’s first term as Prime Minister and he led a contentious push to significantly increase gun restrictions.

This resulted in the introduction of the 1996 National Firearms Agreement – which introduced restrictions on certain types of weapon and a registry to keep track of gun owners – a mere 12 days after the massacre, as well as the introduction of a mandatory gun buyback scheme that’s not unlike what New Zealand is doing.

Despite fears of violence from gun owners, the buyback scheme was successful with about 650,000 legally owned guns peacefully surrendered. Including the 2003 gun buyback scheme, the whole thing cost tax-payers just under $628 million and the number of gun-related deaths dropped dramatically in Australia.

This is a big step for New Zealand regarding its gun legislation and if Australia is any indication, it will have positive repercussions on the country.