New Zealand's Prime Minister Pledges To Change Gun Laws In Wake Of Mosque Massacre

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th March, 2019) New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that the country's firearms regulations would change following the violent attacks on two mosques in the city of Christchurch.

A gunman attacked the mosques on Friday, killing 49 people and leaving dozens badly injured.

"I'm advised that there were five guns used by the Primary perpetrator ... The offender was in possession of a gun license. I'm advised that this was acquired in November of 2017 ... I can tell you one thing right now � our gun laws will change," Ardern said on Saturday.

The prime minister recalled that there were attempts to change the gun laws in New Zealand back in 2005, 2012 and in 2017.

"Now is the time for change," Ardern argued.

On Friday, Ardern characterized the incident as a terrorist act.

Media reports have suggested that the attacker had had extremist and nationalist views. Moreover, footage related to the massacre, which showed the supposed perpetrator livestreaming his attack, has been circulating online.