By Australian Associated Press
Published: 06:58 GMT, 18 March 2019 | Updated: 06:59 GMT, 18 March 2019
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Jacinda Ardern has confirmed New Zealand will toughen its gun laws after 50 people were murdered in a terror attack at two mosques in Christchurch.
New Zealand's Prime Minister has encouraged Kiwis to surrender their semi-automatic weapons through a voluntary amnesty, as the government works through changes to firearm laws over the next week.
'To make our community safer, the time to act is now,' she told reporters on Monday.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured) has encouraged Kiwis to surrender their semi-automatic weapons through a voluntary amnesty, as the government works through changes to firearm laws over the next week
Semi-automatic assault rifles are expected to be banned in New Zealand, and gun owners are likely to face much more stringent registration requirements
The proposed changes come alleged gunman Brenton Tarrant used five weapons - two semiautomatic rifles, a lever-action firearm and two shotguns - and stormed two mosques, killing 50 people and injuring dozens more.
New Zealand's cabinet has agreed in-principle to a range of gun reforms, but Ms Ardern would not be drawn on the detail.
The proposed changes will be announced before cabinet meets again next week.
