Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield said Saturday he could not accept that a police officer who had simply gone to work to protect society ended up in hospital fighting for his life, describing Friday's shooting as a stark reminder that respect for the law and public safety must remain absolute priorities.

Addressing a seminar organised by the Malta Arms Collectors Association (AMACS) to mark the 20th anniversary of the Arms Act, Bedingfield opened his speech by referring to the shooting in St Julian's in which a police officer was seriously injured while carrying out his duties while another was slightly injured.

"Yesterday, our colleagues went to work like any other day. They went to do their duty and protect society. One of them ended up in hospital fighting for his life," the minister said.

Bedingfield recounted visiting the injured officer in hospital and meeting his relatives, describing the encounter as one of the most difficult moments he has experienced.

"I felt small standing before family members who still do not know what will happen to their son, their husband, their brother. I could barely speak because, in the face of such pain, words mean very little," he said.

The minister said the incident had also deeply affected members of the police force, who, despite their daily responsibilities, are human beings who experience fear and grief.

"I saw police officers with tears in their eyes. I witnessed an extraordinary sense of solidarity, and I saw doctors working tirelessly for hours to save a life," he said.

Bedingfield said the incident inevitably left people feeling shocked, saddened and angry.

"One asks why someone who left home to go to work should end up fighting for his life simply because someone else irresponsibly decided to take the law into his own hands. We cannot accept this. Not today, not tomorrow, never," he said.

He stressed that "the era of cowboys is over" and said society cannot tolerate individuals who place the lives of others at risk.

"The law must be respected. And when we speak about firearms, we are speaking about a responsibility that can mean the difference between life and death," he said.

Turning to the seminar's theme, Bedingfield said the 20th anniversary of the Arms Act provided an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities that come with firearm ownership.

He said the legislation had established a legal framework that strikes a balance between the legitimate and responsible possession of firearms and the state's fundamental duty to safeguard people's lives and security.

The minister distinguished between lawful firearm owners and criminals who abuse weapons, saying the government recognised that the overwhelming majority of licensed firearm owners understand the responsibility that comes with owning a gun.

He praised AMACS for promoting a culture of responsibility, education and respect for the law over the past two decades.

Bedingfield also stressed that firearm ownership should never be viewed as a symbol of prestige or status, but as a privilege that demands maturity, discipline and a strong sense of responsibility.

He called for continued education and training, together with closer cooperation between responsible firearm owners, their organisations and the authorities.

"Today, more than ever, we must continue putting safety first. Behind every uniform is a person - a son, a husband, a brother, a family waiting at home. No family should have to endure what this family is going through today," he said.

"Our message must be clear: we want a country where the rule of law prevails, where life is respected, and where no one believes they have the right to take the law into their own hands."