By Kevin Clements*
Opinion - Prime Minister's Jacinda Ardern's announcement that every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attacks in Christchurch on Friday would be banned is to be applauded by all New Zealanders.
Photo: AFP
The suggestion to ban military-style semi-automatic weapons (MSSAs) and pistols first appeared in Judge Thorpe's report in 1997. His recommendation was not implemented then so it's wonderful and reassuring to see that it has been implemented today.
This ban has been proposed by many gun control advocates, including myself, for the past 21 years.
It's a pity that it took the Christchurch tragedy for the government to take action, but it's better late than never. This ban will bring us into line with the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom and, to some extent, Canada, which has a partial ban on such weapons.
I am very pleased that the government has initiated a buyback scheme to take as many of these firearms out of circulation as possible.
In addition to this, I also hope people who have such weapons will be disposed to return them voluntarily as a contribution to national safety and to honour those who have just lost their lives to such weapons. It is also good gun owners will not be able to buy 30-cartridge magazines any more.
The fact that the police will not be issuing any further E Category licenses for such weapons is also to be applauded.
All of these initiatives will make New Zealand a safer place. Legitimate hunters and farmers have more than enough other types of weapons to use for recreation, sport and agricultural purposes.
The prime minister and her Cabinet are to be congratulated for their decisiveness.
It's up to all New Zealanders, gun owners and non-gun owners to work together now to make sure that massacres of the kind that happened last Friday never happen again.
*Professor Kevin Clements from Otago University is founding director of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict.
