NZ bans semi-automatic, assault rifles after mass shooting

New Zealand will ban military-style semi-automatic and assault rifles under tough new gun laws following the killing of 50 people in the country's worst mass shooting, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday, reports Reuters.

In the immediate aftermath of last Friday's shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, Ardern labelled the attack as terrorism and said New Zealand's gun laws would change.

"On 15 March our history changed forever. Now, our laws will too. We are announcing action today on behalf of all New Zealanders to strengthen our gun laws and make our country a safer place," Ardern told a new conference.

"All semi-automatic weapons used during the terrorist attack on Friday (March 15) will be banned."

Ardern said she expects the new laws to be in place by April 11 and a buy-back scheme will be established for banned weapons.

Under existing New Zealand gun laws, a standard A-category gun licence allows semi-automatics limited to seven shots. Live-streamed video of a gunman in one of the mosques showed a semi-automatic weapon modified with a large magazine.

A mass burial is expected to be held today (Friday).

The bullet-riddled Al Noor mosque was being repaired, painted and cleaned ahead of today's (Friday) prayers.

Ardern will attend the Muslim call to prayer and a two-minute silence at Hagley Park opposite the Al Noor Mosque. The call to prayer will telecast nationally.

Thousands of worshippers are expected at the Al Noor mosque, where the majority of victims died.