NEW Zealand is banning all "military style" semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles following the Christchurch mosque attack.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern unveiled the stronger gun laws and said they are expected to be fully in place in three weeks time.

She announced that high-capacity magazines and semi-automatic weapons like those used in Friday's terrorist atrocity would be banned effective immediately.

"Every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attack on Friday will be banned," she said.

The country's gun laws have been in the spotlight since white supremacist gunman Brenton Tarrant shot dead 50 people in New Zealand’s worst ever terror attack.

"Now, six days after this attack, we are announcing a ban on all military style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles in New Zealand," Ms Ardern said.

"Related parts used to convert these guns into MSSAs are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines."

Mrs Ardern said the ban would be followed by legislation to be introduced next month.

She pointed out that Tarrant had purchased his weapons legally and enhanced their capacity by using 30-round magazines "done easily through a simple online purchase."

Tarrant, 28, was found to have bought four of his guns and ammunition through a "police-verified online mail order process”.

TIME FOR CHANGE What has New Zealand banned?

All high-capacity magazines will be banned.

As will two types of firearms now defined as Military Style Semi-Automatics (MSSAs):

• A semi-automatic firearm capable of being used with a detachable magazine which holds more than five cartridges
• A semi-automatic shotgun capable of being used with a detachable magazine which holds more than five cartridges.

Ardern said the government is working on a large-scale buy-back plan to encourage owners of now-banned weapons to surrender them.

She did not say what would happen to those who violate the law.

The PM also said she and the Cabinet would work through legal exemptions to the ban, such as for farmers needing to cull their herds but said any exemptions would be "tightly regulated."
"For other dealers, sales should essentially now cease. My expectation is that these weapons will now be returned to your suppliers and never enter into the New Zealand market again," she said.

Ms Ardern previously stated that the terrorist used five guns, two of them semi-automatic, which were purchased with an ordinary gun licence and modified.

Confirming that Tarrant had obtained a gun licence in November 2017, Ms Ardern confirmed: "Our gun laws will change”.

"There were attempts to change the law in 2005 and 2012, and after an inquiry in 2017,” she said.

"Now is the time for change."

The evil murderer had a Category A gun licence which enabled him to legally obtain semi-automatic weapons.

'INQUIRY INTO NZ INTELLIGENCE'

On Monday, Ms Ardern also announced an inquiry into the country's intelligence services.

The Australian white supremacist charged in the massacre wasn't detected before his well-planned attack on two mosques.

There have been concerns intelligence agencies were overly focused on the Muslim community in detecting and preventing security risks.

Tarrant livestreamed himself as he opened fire on worshippers at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch during Friday prayers, leaving at least 41 dead.

He then drove for seven minutes to a mosque in Linwood Avenue where he gunned down more victims.

The death toll has now hit 50.

Tarrant was arrested and dragged from his car, which was rigged with two bombs.

The white supremacist shooter had “intended to continue with his attack” when he was tackled by brave cops, Ms Ardern confirmed.

New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush today said Tarrant acted alone but may have had support.

Bush said at a Monday news conference that: "We believe absolutely there was only one attacker responsible for this."

But he added that the support of other people hasn't been ruled out and is "a very, very important part of our investigation."

Tarrant has reportedly sacked his lawyer and plans to represent himself sparking fears he’ll use the trial to promote his twisted beliefs.

The gunman may have taken inspiration for this brazen move from fellow white supremacist Dylann Roof who killed nine in the Charleston church shooting.

The duty lawyer who represented Tarrant, 28, in court on Saturday told the New Zealand Herald that he was no longer acting for the mass killer.

Richard Peters said that the gunman appeared lucid and told him he wanted to represent himself in future.

"What did seem apparent to me is he seemed quite clear and lucid, whereas this may seem like very irrational behaviour," Mr Peters said.

"He didn't appear to me to be facing any challenges or mental impairment, other than holding fairly extreme views."

This choice suggests that Tarrant may want to use the court proceeding as a platform for his racist views.

PLATFORM FOR HATE

The smirking killer already stirred up anger by flashing a white power symbol when he appeared at Christchurch District Court on Saturday.

He reportedly smirked when media photographed him in the dock, flanked by two police officers.

Aussie-born Tarrant, 28, has been charged with murder and more charges are expected to be laid.

If he represents himself in court, Tarrant will join a list of other arrogant killers including Ted Bundy and Dylann Roof.

Tarrant already cited Roof in his sickening manifesto which was released shortly before Friday’s terror attack that claimed 50 lives.

INSPIRED BY KILLER DYLANN ROOF

In the chilling manifesto, titled The Great Replacement, he declared that he wishes he'd "killed more invaders and traitors".

He also wrote: "I have read the writings of Dylann Roof and many others, but only really took true inspiration from Knight Justiciar Breivik."

The use of "Knight" is a reference to the Knight's Templar – a legion of Christian soldiers from the 12th century.

Tarrant declared his main inspiration to be Anders Breivik – the far-right terrorist who killed 69 kids of a Workers' Youth League on the island of Utøya in Norway in 2011.

The killer vowed to take revenge for the "thousands of European lives lost to terror attacks".

He opened fire on two mosques in Christchurch during Friday prayers, killing at least 50 people.

Tarrant livestreamed himself as he sprayed bullets at worshippers and kids in the worst terror attack in New Zealand's history.

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