Sydney's recent spate of drive-by shootings is being exacerbated by criminals gaining access to stolen guns, it has been reported.
Homes in the city's west and southwest have been sprayed with bullets during a spike in recorded gun violence since January 9.
Senior police believe many of the incidents are gang-related and Gun Control Australia president John Crook said some legally-owned guns are being stolen and potentially finding their way into the hands of crooks.
The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Monday that 100,000 new firearms have been purchased legally in the past five years - but only 18,852 new gun licences were commissioned.
There are now more than 760,000 registered guns in NSW, compared with 190,844 licences.
That takes the ratio to four guns for every licensed owner.
"The authorities are not taking sufficient care in the examination of why they (shooters) need additional guns," Mr Crook told The Daily Telegraph.
"After all, it is another gun that has to be protected and stored and another gun that can cause harm in the wrong hands."
