State reversed gun shop closures after pressure from farmers

FARMERS just came out of a drought and were hit by a snap decision to block the sale of firearms and ammunition.

The Queensland government close the state's gun shops, on Saturday.

UPDATE: A STATE ban on gun sales lasted a little over two days after farmers were united in their discontent.

Citing a recommendation from Queensland's chief health officer, Jeannette  Young, the State Government announced the closure of firearms dealers as part of the COVID-19 shutdown.

The decision halted all sales of weapons and ammunition.

It also prevented businesses, such as Toowoomba's The Open Range, from selling anything vaguely hunting related, including camping gear, personal protective equipment and binoculars.

Co-owner Simon Wagner was not happy.

"If it was a retail-wide shutdown  we would have taken it on the chin, but to be singled out was a bit rough," he said.

The ban put in jeopardy thousands of rural landholders' livelihoods.

"Producers need access to a firearm - it is basically a tool for them," Mr Wagner said.

"We are still in the drought and there are guys with crops in for the first time in years.

"They are going to need to protect it."

The Firearms Dealers Association of Queensland along with farm industry groups pressured the State Government to overturn the decision, and by 11.30am yesterday the gun shops reopened.

Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said the new direction gave clarity for industries that need firearms to operate.

"This is a sensible decision which allowed our farmers to get on with the job of feeding Queenslanders," he said.

"To do that, our primary producers need access to firearms to properly manage pests on their properties."

Retailers can now sell miscellaneous items to the general public, without restriction.

Firearms and ammunition sales are restricted to farmers, feral animal controllers, vets, state and federal agencies and security services.

Southern Downs MP James Lister criticised the ban as an attack on the bush.

"I cannot see why the chief health officer would say you must close gun shops but large retailers like JB HiFi are fine to stay open," he said. 

9AM: FOR many Darling Downs farmers this winter will be the first time after years of drought they will have a crop in the ground.

But their hopes for a successful harvest are in doubt after the Queensland Government closed all the state's gun shops at the weekend, in an escalation of the COVID-19 shutdown.

There are concerns they will not be able to keep pests off crops without an ample supply of guns and ammunition. 

For many Toowoomba dealers the decision came out of the blue.

Open Range co-owner Simon Wagner said the trading restrictions unique to his industry will see his business shut for months.

"If it was a retail-wide shut down we would have taken it on the chin, but to be singled out is a bit rough," he said.

State laws prevent the sale of weapons and ammunition online.

The shutdown also prevents Mr Wagner from selling miscellaneous items, such as camping gear, personal protective equipment, clothes, metal detectors and utensils.

"A corner store can sell camping gear, but we cannot," Mr Wagner said.

While his business is under threat, Mr Wagner is concerned for what the shutdown means for farmers.

They may be stocked with ammo now, but that will change as the shutdown drags on.

"I think it is a bit short sighted," he said.

"Primary producers need access to a firearm.

"It is basically a tool for them.

"We are still in the drought and there are guys with crops in for the first time in years.

"They are going to need to protect it."

The industry body, the Firearms Dealers Association of Queensland, has appealled for the decision to be reversed. 

More to come.

Originally published as State reversed gun shop closures after pressure from farmers