Leaders can make speedy change when they don't have to take the wishes of their population into consideration.
We have public referendums for certain major issues which affect everyone on a widespread level. So the public takes a vote outside of the general election. A couple of examples in recent memory were the referendum to ban smacking (you would say spanking) children, which passed, so it’s now illegal to hit anyone whether they are an adult or a child.
We recently also had a referendum to change the national flag (it’s very similar to australia’s which causes confusion, plus it’s largely based on the Union Jack which is less relevant to us these days as we’re very independent from the UK in regards to governance). That one didn’t pass.
For all other decisions the elected government has the mandate to move forward and get things done so long as they get enough votes from within their own party or other parties in parliament.
Changing the gun laws is well within their mandate and the sentiment of the general public is one of support. They also seem to currently have the support of even the opposition political party.
I think that’s pretty standard for elected governments to be able to make decisions on behalf of the people. That’s why they’re there. Otherwise how else would you ever get anything done if you needed the public to vote on every single decision?
I’ll reiterate once again that tightening up the gun laws just isn’t a controversial thing here. We see gun ownership as a privilege to be held under special or necessary circumstances (keeping control of pests on farms, hunting as a sport, etc), not a right. We don’t keep guns for self defence or in fear of having to rise up against the government or anything. We’re living in a totally different environment where there’s just not that fear-based context around things. I appreciate that’s hard to wrap your head around for some, but that’s the simple reality of how we live down here.
So thankful to have a prime minister who has acted promptly and decisively on this issue. There was a lovely Instagram post from her hubby today mentioning that it’s their baby girls nine month birthday today and that Ms Ardern has given her the best gift of a safer future by changing the gun laws. (Yes our leader was also recently pregnant in office, breastfed in office and is now raising a young baby in office, and still has time to lead the nation with grace, compassion and guts!).
