During Friday Prayer on March 15th, 2019 there were two consecutive terrorist shootings. It started at the Al Noor Mosque in the suburb of Riccarton and ended at the Linwood Islamic Centre. The shootings killed 50 people and injured 50 more. About a week after the shootings took place New Zealand has taken initiative to ban the sale of assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons, this ban will take immediate effect. The Prime Minister Jacinda Arden stated this while clarifying that New Zealand has the full intention of strengthening its gun laws. On top of assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons the ban will also include high-capacity magazines and accessories such as bump stocks that can turn an ordinary rifles into a semi-automatic weapons. The legislation will be brought up in parliament which will not take place until early April. This ban still has a short term effect though. This order seems to have the people’s support. A lot of citizens have expressed their gratitude and positive attitudes towards this ban. New Zealand’s action seems like it could be used as an example for nations experiencing the same gun issues. It also opens up the debate of gun laws even further. This raises a lot of questions, specifically why can’t other nations follow New Zealand’s lead. What makes these situations different is their difference in government styles. A lot of politicians in America still point to New Zealand in a time like this. A lot of democratic politicians want to follow New Zealand’s process and quick resolution. They want and feel that America should be able to pass legislation as quick. A big difference is that New Zealand has a gun lobby like the NRA(National Rifle Association) but it is not nearly as powerful and influential. New Zealand also now has a process in place that the government could buy back weapons from their citizens.
