350 shootings in Auckland

The Herald reports:

A worsening turf war between rival gangs and the criminal trade of illicit drugs has seen hundreds of shooting victims hospitalised across Auckland as the number of firearms in circulation grows.

The city’s mayor says the rising tally of gun violence victims is a serious concern, with the bloodshed causing significant anxiety and undermining people’s right to feel safe.

Figures released exclusively to the Herald by Auckland’s three district health boards show the city’s hospitals have treated nearly 350 patients for firearms injuries since January 2016.

A shooting used to be a major event, which would dominate the news for days. In the last few years they have become so common, that they hardly register beyond the initial story. Auckland alone is having three shootings a fortnight on average.

This needs to change.