New Zealand Gun Control Bill Passes First Of Three Votes

New Zealand lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the first vote on a sweeping gun control bill. 

The measure would ban most semiautomatic firearms, magazines and parts that can be used to assemble prohibited firearms. It must pass two more votes to become law.

If it does pass, anyone who owns the banned items would have until the end of September to surrender them to licensed dealers or police. New Zealand's prime minister said as a way to compensate owners, the government will create a buyback program. It could end up costing more than $100 million. 

Under the bill, penalties for having, using or selling the banned items after September range from two to 10 years in prison. 

The legislation was introduced after the deadly Christchurch mosque shootings last month that killed 50 people and injured dozens more. 

Lawmakers hope to make the bill law by the end of next week.