MPs have today been handed a petition with more than 65,000 signatures calling on them to ban all semi-automatic weapons. Cabinet - including the Green Party - decided in principle on reforms on Monday, with the National Party saying it support change. Brad Knewstubb, who helped start the petition, said New Zealand could send a message to the world by moving quickly on gun control. The Police Association has called for semi-automatic weapons to be banned, while Fish & Game said it supported a ban on military-style semi-automatic weapons and retailer Hunting & Fishing New Zealand has pulled all military-style semi-automatic firearms from sale nationwide. The Council of Licensed Firearms Owners said there was already a stringent vetting process for firearm licences in this country and military-style semi-automatic weapons should not be banned.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 20, 2019 23:48 UTC