Christchurch shootings: NZ cabinet backs action on gun laws

PM Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand’s cabinet has backed gun law changes “in principle” after an attack on two mosques left 50 dead and many injured.

Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, has been charged with murder. Police say the killer used military-style assault weapons that appeared to have been modified to make them more deadly for the attacks.

Friday’s events sparked calls for gun law reform, with Ms Ardern saying soon after that “our gun laws will change”.

Speaking at a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Ms Ardern said she expected to give details of the reforms by 25 March.

“This ultimately means that within 10 days of this horrific act of terrorism we will have announced reforms which will, I believe, make our community safer,” she said.

“We have made a decision as a cabinet, we are unified,” the prime minister told reporters.

Ms Ardern also announced that an inquiry will look into the lead-up to the bloodshed, and what might have been done differently. Nine people remain in hospital in a critical condition.