Calls for tightened NZ gun control after Las Vegas shooting

There are calls for New Zealand to revisit gun control measures following the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history last week.

Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock killed at least 59 people and injured around 500 in the shooting at an outdoor concert on Sunday night (local time).

A three-month gun amnesty in Australia this year has seen more than 51,000 banned guns surrendered to authorities.

It is Australia's first amnesty since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, when 650,000 guns were collected and melted down.

Tim Fischer, who was Deputy Prime Minister of Australia at the time, told The Nation on Saturday New Zealand can do more to reduce the number of guns available here.

"Under the current trade deals, [there are] zero tariffs on legal ammunition being exported from the USA, and, of course, zero tariffs on the thousands of guns being legally exported from the USA to New Zealand."

Despite widespread outrage over gun laws in the US, inflamed by the most recent tragedy, lawmakers are yet to lift a finger on substantial gun control measures.

Mr Fischer says smaller countries need to turn up the heat, and that could mean introducing a tax on firearm imports.

Since gun control measures were tightened in Australia, there have been no mass shootings across the ditch, but Mr Fischer says they're not exempt from the risk.

"There could be a mass shooting... a major-scale mass shooting in Australia [or] in New Zealand."

New Zealand Police Association president Chris Cahill agrees.

"The firearms are out there [and] we have significant mental health issues in New Zealand. It'd be naive to think is couldn't happen here."

Paddock modified his rifles with a "bump stock", turning them from semi- to fully automatic weapons. While that is illegal here, it's believed the accessory could be coming in under the radar.

The NZ Police Association sent Newshub a video of what it believes is a modified firearm being shot in New Zealand.

There are now calls to extend Australia's amnesty, and have the same amnesty offered here.

"Criminals steal and rob their guns from legitimate firearms owners. So the less that are out there the less that'll end up in the hands of criminals," Mr Cahill says.

And, the less likely there'll be scenes similar to Las Vegas unfolding here.

Newshub.