The day after more than 40 were killed in mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand in the worst terror attack in the nation's history, the country's prime minister vowed to strengthen the country's gun laws.

"I can tell you one thing right now: Our gun laws will change," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said during a press conference Saturday morning local time. "Now is the time for change."

Forty-nine people were killed and more than 40 others injured after shootings at two mosques in Christchurch during Friday's afternoon prayer. An Australian citizen in his late twenties has been charged with murder and two others have been taken into custody.

Ardern said the suspected primary shooter used five guns, including semiautomatic weapons and shotguns, adding that he obtained a gun license in November 2017 and acquired the guns legally thereafter. "That will give you an indication of why we need to change our gun laws," she said.

Authorities will be investigating how and when he acquired the firearms as well as the suspect's travel in and out of New Zealand, Ardern said.