11‑Year‑Old Shot in Sydney Sparks Gun Buyback Debate

An 11‑year‑old boy was shot in the face and neck at a Norwest apartment unit in Sydney’s north‑west on Monday. Police say the child was rushed to Westmead Children’s Hospital in critical condition, but they are unsure whether the shooting was accidental. The incident has reignited a political clash over a proposed gun buyback scheme. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called the tragedy a “tragic reminder” of the dangers posed by firearms. The opposition, which had previously pledged to scrap the buyback, now defends its stance, arguing that the policy was a backflip after the Bondi massacre. The debate underscores the fragility of gun‑control measures in the state and the urgency of clarifying the policy’s future.