Roger Cook leaves door open for even greater gun reform after ‘chilling, horrific’ murder

Roger Cook has left the door open to further tightening WA’s already tough gun laws, in the wake of the “senseless, chilling and absolutely horrific” murder of a mother and daughter.

Jennifer and 18-year-old Gretl Petelczyc were shot in their Floreat home by Mark Bombara on Friday afternoon, after he attended the address looking for his former partner.

Early investigations suggest Bombara’s ex-wife was staying with the Petelczyc family after leaving her husband.

After realising his ex wasn’t at the address, Bombara fatally shot Jennifer before turning the gun on Gretl, who was critically injured and later died in hospital.

Bombara, who was licensed to own the firearm he used, then turned the gun on himself.

The Premier on Sunday told 6PR his government – which is already seeking to pass some of the country’s toughest gun laws in the country to reduce the number of guns in the state – would go further if it was deemed necessary.

“We need to obviously reflect on this incident and we will do whatever the police ask us,” Mr Cook said.

“If the police say certain laws will make us safer, well then we will obviously consider that very seriously.”

In February, the government announced laws that would seek to cap the number of guns an individual can own – 10 for farmers and gun club members and five for recreational shooters – and force anyone applying for a licence to undergo a mental health assessment similar to that of a truck driver.

In addition, 11,000 guns have been surrendered as part of the state’s $64m buyback scheme – more than half of which have come from the metropolitan area.

The laws have not yet passed parliament and are opposed by the state opposition.

Mr Cook on Sunday doubled down, vowing to do what was necessary to expedite the laws and make further changes to keep the community safe.

“But we’ll continue to see what we can do either to expedite these laws, so that we can get them in place as quickly as possible, or indeed, consider further changes that might be necessary to keep the community safe,” Mr Cook said.

“Getting them off the streets, making sure that they’re stored much better under the new laws and made secure will obviously go some way to eliminating or reducing certain incidences.”

Speaking of the crime in question, Mr Cook described the incident as “horrific”.

“(My initial reaction) was one of shock and disbelief,” he said.

“This is a circumstance in which a woman has sought refuge from a friend, and it would appear that, as a result of that, her and her daughter have come to harm — they’re innocent people.

“They were simply doing what I think we would all want someone to do when we’re facing a difficult circumstance: a friend that would stand by you and support you with comfort and safety in their home.

“It’s early in the investigation, and we need to let the police establish the facts surrounding this particular incident, but by every measure it looks senseless, chilling and absolutely horrific.”

 

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