The Minns Labor Government must urgently strengthen its response to gun crime after a Lansvale home was reportedly sprayed with up to 12 bullets while three people were inside, leaving residents fearing shootings are becoming normal in their neighbourhood.
A 59-year-old woman, her son and his friend escaped injury when shots tore through the granny flat. Three teenagers have since been charged over their alleged involvement.
Shadow Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Anthony Roberts said a neighbour’s comment that hearing gunfire was no longer surprising should be a wake-up call for Labor.
“When a resident hears gunfire and says it seems normal now, that should ring alarm bells in the Premier’s office,” Mr Roberts said.
“No community should be expected to get used to bullets tearing through homes. Nobody should have to wonder whether their bedroom wall will protect them from the next shooting.
“Three people escaped injury, but their safety should never have depended on where those bullets landed.
“Our police responded quickly, arrested three teenagers and allegedly recovered a firearm. They deserve enormous credit, and a government that matches their efforts with stronger action to stop these weapons reaching our streets.”
Mr Roberts said the alleged involvement of teenagers also raises serious concerns.
“The alleged involvement of three teenagers is another disturbing reminder of the serious youth crime confronting NSW and the need for stronger action from the Minns Labor Government.”
“Families deserve to feel safe in their homes. They should never be told, through government complacency, that this is simply life in Sydney now.”
The NSW Liberals and Nationals’ policies include:
- Increasing the maximum penalty for trafficking firearms or ammunition from 20 years to life imprisonment, with a standard non-parole period.
- Mandatory jail time for anyone found carrying an illegal gun.
- Strengthening Firearms Prohibition Orders to better disrupt serious offending.
- Increasing specialist police resources, intelligence capabilities and operational support to target criminal networks and seize illegal firearms.
- Doubling resources for the NSW Crime Commission to go after unexplained wealth.