Boronia and Kilsyth gun shops report ammunition stockpiling as coronavirus restrictions set in
Gun shops in Melbourne’s outer east are running out of guns and ammunition as panic buying in the US raises fears supplies will dry up here.
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While many people are stockpiling toilet paper and pasta, others are stocking up on guns and ammunition in Melbourne’s outer east with fears panic buyers in the US will dry up supplies here.
While Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday announced the shutdown of non-essential services around the state, including all pubs, clubs, cinemas, and gyms, there are concerns stricter measures will be to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
Boronia Firearms owner Pat Mort said his shelves had been stripped of all the ammunition and guns in the past three days.
Mr Mort said the deer hunting season was about to begin and he thought people were worried the supply would run out as US gun owners had been hoarding ammunition.
“Once they saw all the Americans stockpiling and their shops selling out I think they got scared,” Mr Mort said.
“We don’t really make ammunition in Australia, it’s all made in the US.”
He said many stocking up on ammo were deer hunters who would shoot to put food on the table if meat supplies ran low.
“I’ve been cleaned out,” Mr Mort said.
“It happened so quickly a bit like the toilet paper.”
Since the rush on stock Mr Mort has been fielding between 50 and 60 phone calls a day from people wanting to know if he had any ammunition in supply.
He said it would be logistically difficult to get more stock in, which was probably sitting in a warehouse somewhere.
“It’s hard to know what to do because I don’t know if I’ll be able to continue trading if it becomes only essential services to remain open,” Mr Mort said.
Deer hunter Dennis Bradley, in his 70s, said deer season would begin began April 1 and he wanted to make sure he had enough ammunition.
Mr Bradley said he had struggled to find the Remington ammunition he needed for his two hunting rifles and bought twice the amount he needed.
“Given the current situation I thought I’d get two boxes for each,” Mr Bradley said.
He said he didn’t see people panic buying and thought everyone was just planning ahead.
“People aren’t planning for World War III.
“We’re just making sure we have enough for the hunting season.”
He said no one was stockpiling for armageddon, or preparing to shoot anyone.
“The same laws apply if someone breaks into your home and you shoot them, you are going to be in more trouble than the robber,” Mr Bradley said.
“I enjoying hunting, being outdoors and getting my own meat, just like a fisherman.”
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Knox Leader Leader also contacted the Gun And Outdoor Shop in Kilsyth and spoke to a man who did not want to give his name who said there had been a rush on gun and ammunition shops across Melbourne.
“I don’t know what people are thinking. I think they are panic buying,” he said.