Following the Christchurch mosque shootings on 15 March 2019, Prime Minister Ardern announced that the government would be reforming New Zealand's gun laws, including a proposed ban on semi-automatic firearms. Attorney General David Parker said that the government would consider legislation dealing with semi-automatic weapons and other issues. On 21 March 2019, Ardern announced that the government would ban all semi-automatic firearms and assault rifles. She also clarified that the government would be introducing a buy-back scheme to remove all prohibited firearms from circulation.