New Zealand MPs vote to change gun laws

Marty MELVILLE / AFP

Lawmakers in New Zealand voted almost unanimously on Wednesday to change gun laws, less than a month after 50 people were killed in Christchurch mosque attacks.

 

The parliament passed the gun reform bill by 119 to 1. 

It must now receive royal assent from the governor general to become law.

"There have been very few occasions when I have seen parliament come together in this way, and I can't imagine circumstances when it is more necessary," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

Earlier, Ardern had banned the sale of all military-style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles just six days after the March 15 shooting.

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