New Zealand bans sale of assault, semi-automatic rifles in Christchurch aftermath, 'no point applying for permits,' says Jacinda Ardern

Wellington: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced an immediate ban on the sale of assault rifles and semi-automatics Thursday in a muscular response to the Christchurch terror attack that killed 50 people. “Today I am announcing that New Zealand will ban all military-style semi-automatic weapons. We will also ban all assault rifles,” Ardern said, while announcing interim measures that will stop a rush of purchases before legislation is enacted. “The effect of this will mean that no one will be able to buy these weapons without a permit to procure from the police. I can assure people that there is no point in applying for such a permit,” she said. [caption id=“attachment_4874251” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern. AP[/caption] She added that high capacity magazines and devices similar to bump stocks, which make rifles fire faster, will also be banned. “In short, every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attack on Friday will be banned in this country,” she said. For the guns that are still out there, Ardern announced a buyback scheme that will cost between Nz$100 million and $200 million (between US$69 million and $139 million), depending on the number of weapons received. To “the current owners of the weapons we have moved to ban, I acknowledge that many of you will have acted within the law,” Ardern said. “In recognition of that and to incentivise their return, we will be establishing a buyback scheme.” Anyone who keeps the guns after an amnesty period will face fines of up to $4,000 and three years’ in jail. Ardern brushed aside suggestions of opposition to the ban. “The vast majority of New Zealanders will support this change. I feel incredibly confident of that,” she said.