Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield said “the time is up for cowboys” as he addressed Friday’s shooting in St Julian’s, where two police officers were shot during an armed standoff.
Speaking at a seminar organised by the Association of Maltese Arms Collectors and Shooters (AMACS), Bedingfield described the incident as the result of “an irresponsible individual taking the law into their own hands” and said society could no longer tolerate behaviour that puts other people’s lives at risk.
The minister also spoke about visiting Sergeant Johann Vella’s family in hospital following the shooting, saying he was left at a loss for words. Vella remains in critical condition after suffering gunshot wounds, while Constable Omar Sharif sustained minor injuries during the operation.
Addressing the seminar, held on the 20th anniversary of Malta’s Arms Act, Bedingfield stressed that firearm ownership is a privilege that comes with significant responsibility and should never be treated as a status symbol.
He also highlighted the distinction between responsible, legal firearm ownership and the criminal misuse of weapons, calling for continued cooperation between authorities and licensed gun owners to safeguard public safety.
What do you make of the minister’s comments?
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Dylan Attard is a Social Media Executive at Lovin Malta and a proud Gozitan with a passion for digital media, content creation, and social trends. Outside of work, you’ll usually find him at the gym, watching series or doomscrolling.
