A weapon in Tarrant’s arsenal legally available in Australia

One of the guns in Brenton Tarrant’s deadly arsenal was a lever-action firearm, that’s available in Australia, with gun control advocates here urging for action in the wake of Friday’s Christchurch massacre.

Video images of one gun used during the Christchurch Mosque mass shooting.

One of the guns in Brenton Tarrant’s deadly arsenal was a lever-action firearm available in Australia.

Tarrant allegedly stormed two mosques in Christchurch, killing 50 people, armed with two semiautomatic rifles, two shotguns and a lever-­action firearm.

The lever-action firearm is legally available to rec­reat­ion­al shooters in Australia.

Gun Control Australia president Samantha Lee called on New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to use Australia’s gun-control laws as a template in the wake of the attack.

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“This act is a stark reminder that one of the most basic freedoms of all communities both here and across the Tasman is the right to live without the fear of gun violence,” she said.

“Australia is able to offer the New Zealand Prime Minister a potential gun law ­reform model which has prov­en to have saved many lives.”

Ms Lee said one of the killer’s guns was ­legally available in this country.

Police hold a suspect to the ground following the shooting. Picture: Mary Outram

A Police officer following the shooting at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch. Picture: AAP Image/SNPA, David Alexander

“Australia should also take action in response to this horrendous massacre,” Ms Lee said. “The perpetrator’s cache of weapons included a lever-action shotgun.

“Such guns are legally available to recreational hunters across Australia, and advances in firearm tech­nology has propelled these guns into rapid-fire weapons.

“We are deeply saddened that the Australian citizen involved in the attack obtained a gun licence and high-powered firearms to inflict unspeakable grief on a specific community.”

Melburnians mourned those lost in the tragedy in a vigil on Saturday. Picture: Jaimi Chisholm/Getty Images

It is estimated that New Zealand has about one firearm to every four people and does not have a ban on semiautomatic weapons.

Ms Ardern’s Cabinet will meet today to discuss gun-control laws which, she has promised, “will change”.

Premier Daniel Andrews said Victoria had “heavily regulated” gun laws.

“The types of weapons used in these evil attacks in New Zealand are already very heavily regulated,” he said.

“We have tightened gun laws in regards to illegal ­firearms.

“I do not know that Victoria Police have any further requests for any law changes.”

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