NSW govt set to announce new gun offences

The NSW government is set to announce new laws and offences to target the sale of ammunition and the spate of recent drive-by shootings.

The offence of firing at a dwelling as part of an organised criminal activity will carry a maximum jail term of 16 years, while directing the activities of a criminal enterprise planned or organised could see perpetrators behind bars for up to 15 years, The Daily Telegraph reports.

The offences are expected to be announced on Monday by Premier Barry O’Farrell, who is reportedly also seeking to strengthen the Firearms Act to ensure licensed gun owners can only buy ammunition for firearms they are allowed to own.

It is believed that police had requested new powers which would allow them to charge people who refused to assist officers with an investigation, but that was refused.

Sydney has been hit with 20 shootings since January 1 and at last count there were 61 shootings in the past 10 months.

The spate of gun attacks in NSW and elsewhere prompted federal Justice Minister Jason Clare to announce on Sunday that the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) would begin a national intelligence assessment on the illegal firearms market.

The assessment will include tracing the guns linked to the most recent shootings in western Sydney and Adelaide and providing a national picture of the black market and criminal gangs.

“There is a very real risk that someone spraying bullets at a house will kill an innocent person,” Mr Clare told reporters in Sydney.

“We’re going to use modern technology and coercive powers to identify criminals and make it easier to catch them,” he said.

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