New Zealand has imposed an immediateban on assault weapons following last week’s Christchurch massacre that claimed the lives of 50 mosque-goers. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, assault rifles and military-style semi-automatic weapons would be banned with immediate effect, making a pledge to ensure that nothing like the last week’s attack ever occurs in the Pacific nation again.
She added that high-capacity magazines and devices similar to bump stocks – which allow users to fire weapons faster – will also be banned. Proponents of gun control in the United States and around the world praised the move.