Gaurav Gill puts on commendable performance in Rally of Otago
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New Zealand government has taken back more than 400 guns under a six-month buyback scheme that was launched to compensate the owners of powerful but newly banned semi-automatic weapons after the deadly attack on two mosques in Christchurch in March.
Police have paid $433,000 to 169 gun owners at the New Zealand government’s first gun buyback event.
A steady stream of gun owners arrived at the Riccarton Racecourse in Christchurch on Saturday.
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Canterbury’s Acting District Commander Mike Johnson said gun owners had come out in force for what had been a “positive experience for them and our staff”.
He further said, “We’ve had 169 people come through today, we’ve been handed over 224 firearms, 217 parts and $433,000 has been paid out”.
“It’s a great first step, but it’s only a first step and we’ve got six months to make sure we follow on positively from the day we’ve had today,” Johnson added.
New Zealand Police Minister Stuart Nash had said, “The buyback and amnesty has one objective — to remove the most dangerous weapons from circulation following the loss of life at Al Noor and Linwood mosques”, while launching the buyback scheme last month.
At least 51 people were killed and several others injured after a gunman opened fire on worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch. He has been charged with 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and engaging in a terrorist act.
Brenton Tarrant, an Australian man accused of carrying out the attacks, was alleged to have an arsenal of five weapons, including two military-style semi-automatic rifles (MSSAs).
Licenced firearms owners have time until December 20 to surrender weapons that have now been deemed illegal under the scheme.
The amnesty to surrender firearms, parts, magazines and ammunition will also continue till the same date.
The buyback price will reflect the brand, make and model of the prohibited firearm, its base price, and its condition and dealers will be compensated for stock.
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