NEW ZEALAND’S Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a ban of “military-style” semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines similar to those used in the shootings at Christchurch mosques last week.

After experiencing the country’s worst terrorist attack during which 50 Muslim worshippers were killed in two mosque attacks Ms Ardern said “What we’re banning today are the things used in last Friday’s attack.”

She added: “It’s about all of us, it’s in the national interest and it’s about safety.”

The ban is directed at guns capable of continuous shooting.

She said: “We will also ban all assault rifles. We will ban all high-capacity magazines. We will ban all parts with the ability to convert semi-automatic or any other type of firearm into a military-style semi-automatic weapon.”

Ms Ardern’s decision is expected to receive minimal resistance in Parliament as the largest opposition party quickly said it supported the measures.

Gun owners were told to hand over their guns under an amnesty while officials develop a formal buyback scheme.

Ms Ardern said this could cost up to NZ$200m ($138m; £104m) but emphasised “that is the price that we must pay to ensure the safety of our communities.”