The facts:
The NZ Government has implemented comprehensive gun reform in response to the Christchurch Islamophobic terrorist attack. The Government has banned assault rifles and military-style semi-automatic (MSSA) guns. All political parties, apart from Act, support the reforms. Further reforms of gun laws are expected.
Analysis:
There is an argument that the Government’s gun reforms do not go far enough, and a counter-argument that they go too far. Those pressing for a comprehensive ban on semi-automatic weapons have raised concerns that, with these new reforms, there is not in fact a comprehensive ban on such weapons. For example, the ban does not include semi-automatic .22 calibre weapons. Such weapons are commonly used by hunters and farmers.
If the Government had attempted to ban all semi-automatic weapons, it is less than- likely that they would have received the necessary support from a majority of MPs to push through with new gun reforms. NZ First, in particular, would more-than-likely have opposed such a comprehensive ban.
The counter-argument against gun reform goes that the Government is being unnecessarily draconian with its gun ban. Gun owners may well feel they are being unfairly punished because of the actions of a “lone-wolf terrorist”. However, the gun lobby has supported reforms in general.
The New Zealand Government’s gun reform has caught the attention of American politicians. Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders called for America to follow New Zealand's lead. However, the issue of gun reform is far more politicised in America.
Americans have a constitutional right to own guns, a right that dates back to the American Revolution. In the United States, libertarian arguments against gun control dominate American political discourse. In contrast to other Western nations, Americans can be seen as having an inbuilt fear of government, and the ability of government to squash individual rights. The argument against gun control in the US is therefore framed within an anti-state libertarian discourse. American’s right to bear arms is painted as a bulwark against state tyranny.
Such arguments are generally absent from the New Zealand debate on gun control.
