The killing of an 11-year-old boy in a Sydney apartment has reignited fierce political controversy in New South Wales over the proposed national firearm buyback scheme. The incident occurred Monday evening in Norwest, located in Sydney’s northwest, where the child suffered gunshot wounds to his face and neck.
He was rushed to Westmead Children’s Hospital in critical condition. NSW police have stated they are currently investigating whether the shooting was accidental, though details remain limited.
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the event as a “tragic reminder” of the dangers posed by unrestricted access to firearms. In response to the tragedy, the Labor government has doubled down on its support for the gun buyback policy, which was introduced in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the opposition has come under heavy scrutiny after pledging to dismantle the buyback program. Critics accuse the opposition of “backflipping” on their stance given the severity of this latest incident. The political clash highlights deep divisions over gun control measures as the state grapples with rising concerns about public safety.
I appreciate the political drama, but isn’t the real issue about securing homes? What happened in Norwest?
This is absolutely heartbreaking. How can anyone argue against buybacks after a child is shot like this?