The Australian man accused of killing 50 people in the New Zealand mosque terror attack was granted a firearm licence after passing the proper vetting process, police have confirmed.
Five legally obtained guns were used by the alleged shooter in the March 15 attack, prompting questions about the process that approved him for a gun licence.
Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, was charged on Saturday with one count of murder over the shooting, but more charges are expected when he returns to court.
He was interviewed at his home by a police firearms vetting officers who also carried out a security inspection of the property.
His September 2017 application was approved two months later, after additional information was requested.
"The accused initially listed a family member as one of his referees but that person did not reside in New Zealand," the spokesman said, adding that an additional local referee had been requested and provided.
"The accused provided two further referees who met the requirements of the process and were interviewed face to face by a police firearms vetting officer.
The detail was released by police as community members returned for Friday prayers for the first time since the attack.
Neither the Masjid al Noor nor the Linwood mosque could be opened in time, despite police and restoration efforts being underway, so Muslims instead gathered in the park opposite for their prayers.
