New Zealand police have praised firearms owners for handing in their now illegal weapons as part of a buyback and amnesty scheme
As there is no gun registry in New Zealand, estimates of how many of the now illegal semi-automatic firearms were in circulation differ wildly.
While police earlier this year estimated that there were between 56,000 and 173,000 prohibited firearms, Mitchell suggested numbers were"as high asIn a statement, Nicole McKee, spokesperson of the lobbying group Council of Licenced Firearms Owners , said the organisation believed that"two-thirds of the firearms banned have been retained by owners."
The mosque attack prompted a swift ban on assault rifles and military-style semi-automatic weapons used by the lone shooter.Police Minister Stuart Nash said the number of firearms handed in or still being processed was within the range estimated by consultancy firm KPMG which provided independent advice to the police."However police have consistently warned the problem is we just don't know exactly how many guns are out in the community," Mr Nash added.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NZ halts gun buyback sparked by deadly Christchurch mosque shootingA firearms buyback scheme launched in New Zealand after the Christchurch mosque shootings ends tonight - with gun control groups hailing its success despite opposition from some firearms owners
Read more »
Behrouz Boochani overstays NZ visaBehrouz Boochani, the refugee who wrote an award-winning book while being held in detention, has reportedly overstayed his visa in New Zealand
Read more »
NZ halts gun buyback sparked by deadly Christchurch mosque shootingA firearms buyback scheme launched in New Zealand after the Christchurch mosque shootings ends tonight - with gun control groups hailing its success despite opposition from some firearms owners
Read more »
Behrouz Boochani overstays NZ visaBehrouz Boochani, the refugee who wrote an award-winning book while being held in detention, has reportedly overstayed his visa in New Zealand
Read more »