Italy
Member harmed to party, guest injured – Italy. On Tuesday, a member of Parliament from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party was at the center of a political maelstrom after bringing a gun to a New Year’s Eve party where it was used to shoot someone.
Emanuele Pozzolo, a member of Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party, has admitted to owning the small revolver, a 22-calibre North American Arms revolver, but claims he never fired it.
It was accidentally discharged, he alleged, injuring the leg of a guest, the son-in-law of a bodyguard for junior justice minister Andrea Delmastro, who was also there.
“I confirm that the shot was accidentally fired from a pistol I legally held but it was not me that fired,” Pozzolo said.
According to sources, the event at the party in Rosazza near Turin, which had roughly 30 people, is being investigated.
However, the report shocked and outraged opposing leaders.
Possession of firearms is heavily restricted in Italy, however Meloni’s party suggested last month to lower the minimum age for obtaining a hunting rifle permission to 16.
“We could not have predicted Giorgia Meloni’s party’s passion for weapons would be such that MPs would bring them loaded to New Year’s Eve parties,” said Elly Schlein, leader of the center-left Democratic Party.
“Why bring guns to a New Year’s Eve party in the presence of MPs and government members?” said former centrist Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
“The Meloni (party) is not a ruling class.” They are insufficient, incapable, and unpresentable. And risky, especially for themselves.”
Meloni and her party have yet to respond formally.