New Zealanders give up weapons

Dozens of New Zealanders handed in their firearms yesterday as a gun buyback scheme went into operation aimed at ridding the country of semi-automatic weapons in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks.

The first of more than 250 collections to be held nationwide was in Christchurch, where 51 Muslim worshippers were gunned down while at prayer less than four months ago.

The government, with support from opposition parties, immediately rushed through legislation to tighten New Zealand’s gun laws.

Police Minister Stuart Nash said the objective was to “remove the most dangerous weapons from circulation”.

With armed police monitoring the handover, 169 firearms owners handed in 224 weapons and 217 parts and accessories. They were then crushed in hydraulic presses.

More than $290,300 was paid out in compensation.

Licenced firearms owners have six months to surrender weapons that have now been deemed illegal under the scheme, with an amnesty ensuring they will not face prosecution during that period. After the amnesty expires, possession of a prohibited firearms will be punishable by up to five years in jail.