Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/11...expanding-bullets-designed-to-do-great-damage
Christchurch mayor calls for ban on expanding bullets 'designed to do great damage'
New Zealand's new gun restrictions do not go far enough and should ban the type of bullets used in the mosque shootings, Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel says.
The nearly 100 victims shot in the March 15 attacks were struck by a type of expanding bullet designed to do maximum damage inside a body.
However, hunters using the ammunition to shoot animals say there is no humane alternative.
A ban introduced last month, which will need to be confirmed by legislation within a year, bans military ammunition such as incendiary, explosive, armour piercing and tracer bullets. It follows the tighter gun laws banning military style semi-automatics and assault rifles introduced in April.
"He [the gunman] used soft-nosed bullets that caused incredible damage," she told The Guardian newspaper.
"They are designed to do great damage and they did."
Following the attacks, medical staff at Christchurch Hospital revealed the extensive damage done to the victims. Surgeon James McKay described how the bullets had ricocheted internally and damaged organs not in their path.
Fifty-one people died and some of the survivors have undergone multiple surgeries.
Bill O'Leary, former president of the New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association, said banning soft-nosed and other expanding bullets would cause extreme cruelty to animals.
"Whether it's for pest control or other types of hunting, soft-nosed ammunition is used because it's more humane. It kills quickly because the bullet expands and makes a big wound channel, and the wound is so devastating that they die."
O'Leary said he understood the sentiment behind people wanting to ban soft-nosed bullets.
"I know what the effects of [soft-nosed bullets] are – all hunters do because they have seen the horrendous wounds they cause.
"But there is no humane alternative, from the small rabbit through to the big game. As a country we are absolutely dependent on them for hunting, whether its recreational or to control introduced species".
Nicole McKee, a firearms safety consultant and secretary of the Council of Licensed Firearm Owners, agreed the ammunition was necessary.
"We are a nation of hunters with a large farming and rural community.
"The only humane way to put down livestock or any animal down is with the correct ammunition, and that is soft-nosed or soft pointed rounds."
As part of an amnesty the first buy-back event for outlawed guns, parts, accessories and magazines will be held at Riccarton Raceway in Christchurch on Saturday. This will be followed by others across the country until December.
Ammunition is not included in the buy-back scheme.
Christchurch mayor calls for ban on expanding bullets 'designed to do great damage'
New Zealand's new gun restrictions do not go far enough and should ban the type of bullets used in the mosque shootings, Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel says.
The nearly 100 victims shot in the March 15 attacks were struck by a type of expanding bullet designed to do maximum damage inside a body.
However, hunters using the ammunition to shoot animals say there is no humane alternative.
A ban introduced last month, which will need to be confirmed by legislation within a year, bans military ammunition such as incendiary, explosive, armour piercing and tracer bullets. It follows the tighter gun laws banning military style semi-automatics and assault rifles introduced in April.
"He [the gunman] used soft-nosed bullets that caused incredible damage," she told The Guardian newspaper.
"They are designed to do great damage and they did."
Following the attacks, medical staff at Christchurch Hospital revealed the extensive damage done to the victims. Surgeon James McKay described how the bullets had ricocheted internally and damaged organs not in their path.
Fifty-one people died and some of the survivors have undergone multiple surgeries.
Bill O'Leary, former president of the New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association, said banning soft-nosed and other expanding bullets would cause extreme cruelty to animals.
"Whether it's for pest control or other types of hunting, soft-nosed ammunition is used because it's more humane. It kills quickly because the bullet expands and makes a big wound channel, and the wound is so devastating that they die."
O'Leary said he understood the sentiment behind people wanting to ban soft-nosed bullets.
"I know what the effects of [soft-nosed bullets] are – all hunters do because they have seen the horrendous wounds they cause.
"But there is no humane alternative, from the small rabbit through to the big game. As a country we are absolutely dependent on them for hunting, whether its recreational or to control introduced species".
Nicole McKee, a firearms safety consultant and secretary of the Council of Licensed Firearm Owners, agreed the ammunition was necessary.
"We are a nation of hunters with a large farming and rural community.
"The only humane way to put down livestock or any animal down is with the correct ammunition, and that is soft-nosed or soft pointed rounds."
As part of an amnesty the first buy-back event for outlawed guns, parts, accessories and magazines will be held at Riccarton Raceway in Christchurch on Saturday. This will be followed by others across the country until December.
Ammunition is not included in the buy-back scheme.