Julie Dawson and Anthony Mancini say the Griffith-based Riverina Firearms Centre has faced tough times. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Riverina family gun businesses say their trade has plunged by around two-thirds since NSW introduced sweeping new firearm restrictions following the Bondi terrorist attack.
And with a buyback scheme due to begin in November, they fear the damage could be fatal.
Most NSW firearm licence holders are now limited to four guns, while primary producers and some sporting, pest-control and occupational shooters can have up to 10.
For Tony Aldred, owner of Redneck Shootin’ Supplies in Hay, the impact has been brutal.
“Some 80 per cent to 90 per cent of our customers will never be able to buy another gun,” Mr Aldred said.
“They’ve already got the maximum four or 10, depending on their category. So our business has plummeted.
“We’ve lost two-thirds of our revenue since last December.”
In Griffith, Riverina Firearms Centre owner Anthony Mancini said his business had suffered a similar fall in revenue and he was struggling to retain staff.
The locally owned outfit operates from Banna Avenue and sells firearms, accessories, ammunition, as well as a range of other outdoor equipment.
“There’s no income anymore,” he said.
“I’ve got a third worker who I can’t keep on, which is tough for a family business. I’d rather not get paid myself than not pay my workers.”
Mr Mancini took over the business from longtime owner Glen Castellero three years ago, only to see the industry transformed soon afterwards.
“We try and do our best for the whole region – we’re the only store in the area, but it’s been very tough times,” he said.
He said permits to acquire guns were taking at least six months to be approved, further deterring would-be buyers.
Defenders of the new gun laws have often posed the question: Why would anyone need more than 10 guns?
“A lot of people do hunting, farming and they’re a sporting shooter, so need different types of firearms,” Mr Mancini said.
“If you’re going out to shoot rabbits, you need three guns. If you’re going out to shoot foxes, you need three different types of guns. If you have to shoot pigs, you need different types of guns.
“If you go for target shooting, you need different types of guns still.”
The government has announced grants of up to $25,000 for eligible firearms businesses and dealers, plus one-off $500 licence fee relief for eligible dealers.
“I’ve been trying to contact government to find out how it works and I’ve heard nothing,” Mr Mancini said.
“They haven’t told us how to apply.
“But in reality, $25,000 won’t even cover a bill from one supplier.”
Riverina MPs Dr Joe McGirr and Helen Dalton joined firearm business owners at a press conference at Parliament House this week. Some owners said they had been put out of business by the new laws. Photo: Dr Joe McGirr.
The government says more information about the business grants will be released ahead of the buyback’s 2 November start, but the value of existing stock is another concern.
“We’ve also got thousands of dollars’ worth of firearms that are half the value they were last year, because demand has plummeted,” Mr Aldred said.
“I may have to sell guns for significantly less than what we bought them for.”
He’s run his firearms business in Hay for 25 years and said the trade has never been as bad as it is now.
Mr Mancini’s colleague Julie Dawson said the government was missing the mark with its reforms.
“We have done nothing wrong and yet we are being punished,” she said.
“We’ve seen in the past weeks it’s done nothing to reduce crime, yet we are wasting so much taxpayers’ money on this buyback.
“It’s not going to stop the black market guns on the street, which is the main problem.”
The Riverina businesses are not alone in opposing the reforms, with local MPs Dr Joe McGirr and Helen Dalton also speaking out against the changes.
At state level, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Mark Banasiak has introduced a bill to repeal the new laws, while the party is also preparing a disallowance motion against the buyback regulations.
Mr Aldred and Mr Mancini said they hoped the repeal push would succeed.
“A bunch of laws targeting legal gun owners is not going to change the homicide rate,” Mr Aldred said.
“They just shouldn’t be going down this path.
“As a taxpayer, I don’t want to be paying for a heap of guns that people don’t want to sell.”
