Government vowed to strike back against the Island’s gangs, in the wake of a shooting that left a 38-year-old Southampton man injured.National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief also promised to investigate additional sentencing tariffs, similar to the increased penalty zones brought in under the Misuse of Drugs Act, that would specifically target gang activity.“The increased tension between gangs will be met with strong enforcement and the full weight of the criminal justice system,” the Minister said.“The behaviour of these few individuals is not in keeping with the spirit of this season and our traditions as a people.“At a time when we should be embracing and helping our fellow man, the community is confronted with acts of selfishness and wanton violence. This will not be tolerated.”Mr Perinchief said he intended to renew Cabinet discussions on extra penalties early in the new year.“I have floated this proposal already and will press my colleagues for their support. Essentially, I propose to add a period of imprisonment to the sentences of those offenders whose crimes have been committed as part of gang activity.“That is the proposal in a broad sense and it will be refined before becoming a draft Bill.”Earlier this year, Mr Perinchief proposed tough measures outlawing gang membership, but the idea had “serious ramifications when it comes to civil liberties and freedom of association”.The Minister said he believed that many gang members wanted to get out.“Those that are involved seem to have no real reason for the rifts between them. Relatives are divided by place of residence and in such a small country this is untenable.”He added that “potential gang mediators” had been found, following a fact-finding trip to Boston to explore anti-gang initiatives such as Operation CeaseFire.CeaseFire is described by proponents in the US as an intervention strategy to reduce gun crime. The Minister said that first steps to start mediation “will be in train early next month”.The Minister also hinted at a dual strategy, saying that mediation was “best led through private sector activity and not necessarily through Government-sponsored programmes”.“Concurrently we will pursue a non-Government entity to support the gang mediation activity but in the meantime we are committed to action.”Shadow National Security Minister Michael Dunkley said the One Bermuda Alliance supported the news.But he added that the latest violence, following on the heels of a shooting near a Devonshire nightclub in the early hours of Saturday, bore the hallmarks of “tit-for-tat gang violence”.Calling for “decisive action”, Sen Dunkley said: “Time is not on our side. It’s all well and good for us to expect police to do anything and everything, but it’s up to us as a community. Right now, the sad part is it seems our system has fallen apart.”He questioned why “people who have committed acts no one finds acceptable are being let out on early release”.“Why are reputed gang members getting early parole? It’s not too much of a stretch to believe that the recent increases in shootings are as a result, in part, of decision making by the Parole Board.“They should have all the information they need. Increased sentencing is all well and good, but here we have something that can be remedied easily and we aren’t doing that.”Mr Perinchief recently announced that the Parole Board and police had agreed to share information more closely, to prevent dangerous offenders from getting out early.Wednesday night’s victim has not been named, and the extent of his injuries are not yet clear.He was gunned down at an East Avenue, Southampton residence at around 7pm.Health Minister Zane Desilva, MP for Constituency 29, said he had visited the area and spoken with residents.“I would urge everyone, not only in Southampton but indeed Bermuda, to always think safety and security with regards to their families and homes,” he said.“It’s unfortunate that we have this type of activity throughout Bermuda, and I urge anyone that may have any information that may assist the police to please come forward.”