New Zealand Introduces Gun-Grabbing Bill that Will Soon Become Law

The government of New Zealand has put forward legislation that would ban the majority of semi-automatic firearms.

Two weeks ago, BLP reported on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern vowing to double down on gun control in the wake of the Christchurch mosque massacres.

Now it appears that she is following through with her word.

This proposed ban includes the types of weapons used in the  massacres— two semi-automatic weapons and a shotgun.

This anti-gun bill’s introduction on April 1, 2019 is the next step in passing the sweeping gun control reforms that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern promised right after the March 15 attacks that left 50 people dead.

According to NPR, New Zealand immediately enacted several gun control measures on March 21. Police Minister Stuart Nash claims that the bill now being considered, which is a more extensive ban, would be enacted on April 12 should it pass. The New York Times report that this bill has overwhelming support across party lines.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told reporters on April 1, 2019 “This will mean that within four weeks of the Christchurch terrorist attack, New Zealand will have passed legislation banning all military-style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles.”

Nash introduced the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill, which would criminalize the ownership of certain gun parts that can potentially be used to build prohibited weapons. The Police Minister claimed that the gunman in the Christchurch massacre created “military-style” weapons from semi-automatic guns and high-capacity magazines that he legally purchased.

Nash told The Associated Press “The loophole that this terrorist used to kill 50 people was totally unacceptable. We’re closing that down.”

BLP reported that the initial efforts to get Kiwis to voluntarily surrender their guns has been a complete dud thus far, with barely any gun owners showing up to turn in their guns.

However, anti-gun politicians in New Zealand remain steadfast in their efforts to move gun control forward.

The New Zealand massacre has had a tremendous impact overseas with Democratic Party politicians universally calling for gun control measures like universal gun registration and so-called “assault weapons” bans.

Like previous shootings in Las Vegas and Parkland, anti-gun politicians in the United States are hoping this can generate a tidal wave of gun control across the nation.

Despite the growing radicalism among the anti-gun left in America, the United States still remains the most gun-friendly nation in the world.

 

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