Political row erupts over gun buyback after 11-year-old boy shot in Sydney

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called Monday night's shooting in Sydney's Norwest area a "tragic reminder" of the dangers of firearms. The 11-year-old victim suffered gunshot wounds to his face and neck and was taken to Westmead Children's Hospital in critical condition.

Five other people were present in the unit at the time — four 18-year-old men and a 44-year-old woman — none of whom were hurt. One man was charged with concealing a serious indictable offence, while two others were arrested and later released pending further inquiries. The charged man appeared via audiovisual link at Blacktown local court on Tuesday and did not seek bail.

Minns said the adults in the household were not cooperating with police and appealed to anyone with information to come forward. Superintendent Naomi Moore said there was no indication the shooting was linked to organised crime, and that no firearms were registered to the property nor did any of the people present hold a gun licence.

Political context

Sydney has recorded at least six suspected mistaken-identity shootings since the start of last year, including the recent fatal shooting of a university student, for which two teenagers have been charged with murder. Following the Bondi beach terror attack, the state government proposed Australia's largest gun buyback in three decades, due to launch on 2 November.

The Liberal opposition backed the buyback last year but has now said it would scrap Labor's firearm ownership caps for primary producers. Opposition leader Kellie Sloane instead proposed a commission of inquiry into gun laws and a freeze on the buyback. Police Minister Yasmin Catley described the move as a "stunning backflip" that would leave more guns in circulation.