Opposition party members weigh in on gang shootouts, National's Mark Mitchell wants guns readily available to police

Opposition party members have weighed in on the recent spate of gang shootouts in the super city, and it's clear both ACT and National want police to crackdown.

The National party's police spokesperson and hopeful Police Minister wants front line police to have guns readily available to them amidst a spate of gang shootings.

Mark Mitchell told Newshub Nation police need to have the tactical option available to them but wouldn't say if the officers would be armed or if the guns would remain in their cars.

"That's for the police to decide, that's an operational decision."

He said if he were Police Minister, officers he would take steps to protect police officers. 

"I will be making sure that we're not put in a situation where Constable Mathew Hunt and Constable David Goldfinch faced a gang member armed with two high powered rifles, and they didn't have the ability to actually protect themselves or the members of the public, that would not happen again."

Mitchell added it's been "pure luck" that no one has been seriously injured or killed in the recent drive-by shootings in Auckland.

"That luck is going to run out eventually."

Mitchell added a gang task force needs to be established.

"It would be a resolute task force that's actually out there targeting and harassing gangs, and making sure they're not out on the street, that they're not carrying firearms, and they don't feel like they've got the license to be able to drive past peoples homes and shoot at them."

ACT's leader David Seymour believes the Labour Government has treated gangs as "our friends" and "we've nurtured them for too long".

He told Newshub Nation that civil assist forfeitures are far too tame and need more "teeth". 

"The reason that people are joining gangs, the reason a lot of kids best prospect is becoming a mob prospect is because they've got so much money,

"We say civil asset forfeitures need far more teeth, if you're a gang member with illegal guns, and they should be, because gang members shouldn't have gun licenses," he added. 

He said those who would have their assets seized would be those who are caught with illegal guns which he believes would halt gang shootouts.

Watch the full interview above.