NZ gun show cancelled after Christchurch

The organisers of New Zealand's biggest gun and militaria show have decided to cancel Saturday's event in Auckland out of respect for the Christchurch victims.

Two men pray at a flower memorial near the Al Noor Masjid.

A gun show in Auckland has been cancelled after the Christchurch shooting massacre. (AAP)

New Zealand's biggest gun show has been cancelled following the Christchurch shooting massacre.

"In respect for the victims of the Christchurch terror attacks and because the elevated security risks we have decided to not hold the event," the Kumeu Militaria show said in a Facebook post.

A gunman killed 50 people and wounded another 50 after opening fire on two Christchurch mosques during prayers last Friday.

Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant - who has been charged with murder in relation to the attacks - obtained a NZ gun licence in November 2017 allowing him to buy the weapons, including two semi-automatic rifles, beginning the following month.

The weapons are understood have to have been illegally modified and the issue, along with the availability of semi-automatics are now being swiftly reviewed.

The shootings have prompted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to promise changes to the relatively relaxed gun laws in New Zealand.

Changes to the laws have previously been rejected, but Ms Ardern is determined to make it happen.

"We cannot be deterred from the work we need to do on our gun laws in New Zealand," she said on Sunday.

"They need to change, regardless of what activity may or may not have happened with gun retailers."

Cabinet will start preliminary discussions on gun laws on Monday.

There are an estimated 1.5 million firearms in New Zealand - roughly one for every three citizens.

The gun show was to be held in Auckland this Saturday.

The Kumeu Militaria Facebook page says the show is an event with the aim of "supporting those that serve our country and promoting an interest in our military history".


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
NZ gun show cancelled after Christchurch | SBS News