State Government rejects calls to compensate gel blaster businesses
Calls to compensate gel blaster businesses crippled by new gun regulations have been rejected by the State Government.
SA News
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The State Government has rejected calls to compensate small businesses crippled by its gel blaster regulation.
It came after Small Business Commissioner John Chapman urged the Government to reimburse gel blaster sellers who have been “virtually shut down overnight” by changes to South Australia’s gun regulations.
Under the amendments announced this week, gel blasters are now considered a firearm.
This means people must hold a gun licence to operate them, and the imitation firearms must be registered.
A six-month amnesty whereby people can either obtain a licence or hand in their gel blasters at police stations is currently underway.
Gel Blaster Association of Australia treasurer Chris Sinclair said the Government should absolutely compensate small businesses affected by the new law.
“They’ve just decapitated every (gel blaster) small business owner overnight,” he said.
“There’s about 50 businesses at least where they’ve just had to shut down.
“There’s probably about 350 people out of a job overnight.”
Mr Sinclair said many business owners had contacted the association seeking advice and help.
“They’re quite distressed,” he said.
Mr Chapman said it was “simply not right that SA Police can use what I regard as coercive force with seemingly little regard to the livelihoods of those concerned”.
“I would anticipate very few owners of gel blasters will apply for a firearms licence at a cost of $101, plus a $40 firearm registration fee, plus the owner will have to undertake a TAFE course and ensure their gel blaster is locked up in a Category one gun safe,” Mr Chapman said.
“The Government needs to have a genuine review of this process and if they are determined to continue with the current changes, then they should compensate both businesses and
arguably the purchasers of these items.”
However, Police Minister Vincent Tarzia said the Government “will not be introducing a compensation scheme for gel blasters”.
“Unlike in some states and territories around Australia, businesses and enthusiasts are still able to continue to use and sell gel blasters after obtaining a firearms licence, similar to as exists in the paintball industry, and registering their gel blasters,” he said.
“I am assured that SAPOL’s Firearms Branch will continue to work closely with industry groups and stakeholders involved in the recreational use of gel blasters to manage this transition process and its impacts.”
The Gel Blaster Association has also launched a class action lawsuit against the Government.
About 50 people gathered near the SA Police headquarters in the city on Thursday morning to protest the new regulation.