Military-style semi-automatics and assault rifles will be banned under stronger new gun laws announced by the New Zealand government on Thursday.

The government has banned the weapons less than a week after a shooter opened fire at two mosques in Christchurch, killing 50 people, and injuring 50 others.

The country's rules around guns have been in the spotlight since last Friday's mosque shootings in Christchurch.

Attorney-General David Parker said over the weekend that semi-automatic guns would be banned and 70,000 people have signed a petition against these types of weapons.

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