In light of tragic mass shooting in Texas, leaders discussed gun reform and New Zealand’s gun safety record

Washington, D.C. (May 25, 2022) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met this morning in the Capitol to discuss gun safety, international action to combat climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, building alliances in the Indo-Pacific, and Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, among other topics.

Specifically, Senator Markey and Prime Minister Ardern discussed New Zealand’s swift approach to enacting gun safety measures following the 2019 mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand. Senator Markey shared views on the lessons for U.S. lawmakers following our nation’s failure to act in response to a series of mass shootings, most recently yesterday at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Prime Minister Ardern and Senator Markey discussed climate change and how New Zealand is tackling the climate crisis domestically. Prime Minister Ardern said the importance of U.S. leadership on climate cannot be understated. In addition to U.S. leadership on climate, Prime Minister Ardern stressed the need for the United States to build alliances in the Indo-Pacific and develop stronger economic relationships with New Zealand and other nations in the region. Senator Markey reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to the region and highlighted the recent launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) by President Biden, which includes New Zealand and eleven other initial partners: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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