TRIGGER WARNING Inside city’s secret gun society
The first rule of gun club is: you do not talk about gun club … otherwise you’re destined to become a target
IT is like the Gold Coast’s own secret society.
And the first rule of gun club is: we do not talk about gun club.
“Do not, under any circumstances, take photos of the outside, inside (of the shop) or any staff members at any time,” says the warning on the Gold Coast Shooters Supplies website.
“Do not share any posts of you purchasing anything on any social media channels.
“Do not speak to any member of the media whatsoever.”
It may sound extreme, but the truth is that when it comes to this city’s gun enthusiasts, they are always under fire.
It’s the very reason why 65year-old Gold Coast Shooters Supplies employee Kevin Corr does not want his photo taken for this story … it’s too easy to become a target.
But, for the record, he not only has permission to talk but he’s more than happy to chat … because he has nothing to hide.
A lifelong shooter, hunter and 40-plus year resident of the Gold Coast, Kevin’s job at Gold Coast Shooter Supplies is part of his post-retirement plan. He likes the work, he likes the guns and he likes the people … most of the time.
“There is abuse and criticism at times, you don’t want to advertise that you enjoy shooting or collecting guns or work at a gun shop,” says Kevin.
“It’s pressure from people who don’t really understand what we do.
“Shooting is a sport, hunting is a sport … but it’s not treated like that. It carries a lot of stigma and that’s not fair for a group of people who are doing the right thing.
“It’s funny, before I worked
here I actually worked with a lot of people that I didn’t even know were firearms owners … because you don’t talk about it for fear of being judged.
“Look at what happened in Western Australia, the police released all the names and addresses of every registered gun owner – imagine if they did that to every registered dog owner? We haven’t committed any crimes, we’re actually obeying the letter of the law.
“Yet in this instance we’re treated worse than criminals.”
However, when it comes to Kevin’s work at Gold Coast Shooters Supplies, business is booming.
In fact, he says membership of local gun clubs is growing, although that is not without its issues. Particularly when it comes to one of our most popular clubs, in one of our most populous suburbs.
“We have customers here from right across the spectrum – doctors, lawyers, nurses, radiologists, bankers, business people, tradies, even journalists. The reason is because there is nothing strange about en joy ing shooting as a sport or hunting,” says Kevin.
“Some people like golf, others like to aim at a different target. That’s why memberships at so many gun clubs are increasing. For a lot of young adults too it’s a great alternative, it’s safer than footy.
“Unfortunately, as our city grows and grows, the shooting clubs that were once on the outskirts of town are now right in the centre.
“The Gold Coast Pistol Club in Ashmore has faced a few problems with people getting upset about them, but they’ve been there for years and years. People should know what they’re buying into before they blame the club that’s always been there.”
When it comes to blame, Kevin says gun enthusiasts have never fully recovered from the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre.
While he says everyone accepts and respects the changes to gun laws that were implemented in its wake, it forever changed the public’s perception of those who own firearms.
“It was a major kick in the guts. No one ever considered something like that happening,” he says.
“Some of the angriest people at the time were gun owners, they were devastated that someone would misuse something we respect. We never take guns lightly. Basically everyone got blamed for one person’s crimes. It changed the face of gun ownership, but we’ve all adapted.
“Sometimes I think the restrictions we have in Australia have gone too far, but I’ll always obey the rules. You accept it and put up with it, it’s been a long time now and it’s very hard to rescind the rules.
“Currently, getting a licence can take up to eight months, that certainly weeds out the wannabes.
“You really have to be committed to wait that long. I think that, ideally, it doesn’t need to be quite as long as that.
“What would be more helpful is to really get a good idea of how many illegal guns are out there, that’s where the risk is. Unfortunately, the figures we have are decades old.”
For Kevin, his own love of guns goes back half a century, to when he first picked up a rifle at age 15.
These days, as much as the perception of firearms has changed, his passion hasn’t. And he’s not afraid to say it. “I was visiting out west with my uncle when I was 15 and we shot some rabbits, I enjoyed the skill involved,” he says.
“Every time I would go and visit I would go out with my cousins, we’d make $1.75 per pair of rabbits … and they were sent to RM Williams to make hats.
“As things progressed I became interested in pistol shooting, and then I entered handgun shooting competitions, shotgun competitions, it’s all about the skill and accuracy. You’re competing with yourself.
“I loved collecting as well, there’s such artistry involved.
“The collector meetings are fantastic to go to, everyone just wants to have fun.
“You have people dressing up like frontiersmen, military, cowboys … it’s like Comic Con but for adults, real adults.
“It’s actually a great culture. People have met their partners through this … it’s just a shared interest, no different to any other.”
Yet public sentiment means members of this “secret” society feel they must keep quiet.
And for Kevin, that’s a shot to the heart.
The shooting clubs that were once on the outskirts of town are now right in the centre