The March 15 terrorist was wrongly granted a firearms licence due to a string of police failures, says a front page story on today’s “The Press” newspaper.
“The terrorist, who pleaded guilty to New Zealand’s worst mass shooting in March, was not properly inspected by police vetting staff when he applied for a firearms licence in 2017.
“Stuff has been told that, among other errors, police failed to interview a family member as required, instead relying on two men who met the terrorist through an internet chatroom.
“The error was overlooked when police granted him the firearms licence, allowing the Australian citizen to stockpile the semi-automatic guns later used to murder 51 people.
“On March 15, 2019, the gunman entered the Masjid An-Nur (also known as Al Noor) Mosque in Christchurch and opened fire on worshippers. He then travelled to the Linwood Mosque and again opened fire.
“He was armed with semi-automatic firearms he had legally obtained after moving to New Zealand in August 2017.
“Police have previously confirmed he applied for the licence in September 2017, was interviewed at his Somerville St, Dunedin home in October, and was granted the licence after the application was reviewed in November.
“However, a police source has told Stuff the licence application should not have been granted, as police vetting staff failed to properly interview appropriate referees for the terrorist.
“A licence applicant must provide two referees to be interviewed by police vetting staff, who are tasked with assessing the risk a person could pose if granted a firearms licence.”
Footnote: There were reported other irregularities in Brendon Tarrant’s application among them unconfirmed reports he was on Australia’s security “watch list.”