Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern held a press conference this afternoon to address the anniversary of the Christchurch terrorist attacks and the changes that have happened since.
“A salaam alaikum” began the Prime Minister, starting off by acknowledging the Muslim community in New Zealand.
“A year on gives us a chance as a nation to reflect on changes that have happened within our legislation, within our support services, and within our country,” said Ardern, explaining the government has now removed 60,907 prohibited firearms from circulation since the ban on assault weapons.
“New Zealanders have confirmed that access to firearms is a responsibility and a privilege, not a right.”
The Prime Minister went on to discuss the second step in the gun legislation, which is expected to pass in the next weeks or months.
The solemn Prime Minister acknowledged the impact the mosque attacks have had on New Zealand. “A year on, I feel New Zealand and its people have fundamentally changed,” she said. “I can’t see how you could have an event like this and not [change].”
“The challenge for us will be ensuring in our everyday actions, and every opportunity where we see bullying, harassment, racism, discrimination, calling it out as a nation,” she continued. “That is when we’ll show we each individually have a role to play in making sure that New Zealand has changed fundamentally for the better.”
