Post a horrific attack that killed 50 people in two mosques in Christchurch New Zealand, the arms dealer who sold weapons to the attacker came under scrutiny. He said that he felt no responsibility for the deaths of 50 worshippers who were gunned down.
David Tipple, the managing director of Gun City, confirmed he sold alleged gunman Brenton Tarrant four firearms and ammunition.
"We detected nothing extraordinary about this licence holder," Tipple said.
While he refused to answer direct questions about the use of firearms sold from his shop, he also rejected any sense of responsibility. "No, I do not." Tipple also said he would continue to sell weapons to anyone with the same credentials as the gunman.
Tipple rejected reports of "panic buying" of weapons after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said gun laws would be tightened in the wake of the massacre. He also said that it was responsibility of the police to vet firearms licence applications.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern however has taken a strong stand and said that “our gun laws will change.”
The alleged gunman charged with shootings at the mosques has dropped his lawyer and will represent himself in court. Brenton Tarrant, the alleged shooter has "indicated he does not want a lawyer". "He wants to be self-represented in this case," said duty lawyer Richard Peters, who represented him during the preliminary court hearing. Peters also added that Tarrant appeared to be "rational" and aware of the situation.
"The way he presented was as a rational and someone who was not suffering any mental disability. That's how he appeared. He seemed to understand what was going on," Peters said.
Teenager charged with distributing mosque rampage livestream
An 18-year-old, in the meantime, has appeared in a New Zealand court charged with distributing the livestream video of a deadly mass shooting at Christchurch's Al Noor mosque.
The teenager, was also charged with publishing a photograph of the mosque with the message "target acquired", and for inciting violence.
He faces a maximum of 14 years in prison for each charge, prosecutors said. A judge did not grant him bail and he is due back in court on April 8. The teens name has been withheld by the court.
