NZ lawmakers pass initial vote for new gun laws

New Zealand lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favour of new gun restrictions during the first stage of a bill that was tabled in the Parliament today. The bill was backed by liberals and conservatives.

Wellington: New Zealand lawmakers on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly in favour of new gun restrictions during the first stage of a bill they hope to rush into law by the end of next week.

The bill would ban the types of weapons a gunman used to kill 50 people at two mosques last month.

The bill was backed by liberals and conservatives, with a single lawmaker from the 120 that sit in Parliament voting against it.

The vote was the first of three lawmakers must pass before the bill becomes law.

The bill wouldn't ban guns often used by farmers and hunters, including semi-automatic .22-calibre or smaller guns that hold up to 10 rounds, or shotguns that hold up to five rounds.