Gun reform set to fix loophole in NZ laws

New Zealand's tightening of its gun laws following the mass shootings in Christchurch mosques that left 50 people dead last month will help stem the major threat posed by the weapons, according to analysts.

The new laws will help to prevent similar mass shootings by banning military-style weapons such as those used in the March 15 attacks in the New Zealand city, they said.

Before the new rules were rolled out, the country was criticized for having lax gun laws. In a country of just under 5 million people, the number of guns owned is estimated at between 1 million and 1.5 million.