Local gun shop closures with COVID shutdown

[Bill]

Primary Producers are exempt by the looks of it. Does that mean they can lodge a PTA and pick up a new gun as well as just buy ammo??

Yeap my understanding shooting Contractors and Primary producers can still buy rifle, ammo and powder

[Permie]

They spoke about it a bit more on the news tonight.

2,000x PTA's were lodged just last week in Victoria.
(Hence the Police crack down essentially shutting down Victorian gun stores)

Primary producers will still have the right to purchase rifles and ammunition though.
(According to what they said on the news)

Yeah I heard similar on 774 abc radio.
Apparently the 2,000 PTA’s were double what was normal. Compared to how much panic buying has occurred with everything else, at much more than double normal rates, Poo tickets, pasta, canned tomato, medication, booze, etc, etc, that rate of PTA increase over normal doesn’t seem too bad at all? Especially considering this was in a week of rapidly escalating stages of state ‘lockdown’, of confusion about what sort of shopping would be considered ‘essential’, where other states (WA and Qld) had recently closed gun shops, and due to guns and ammunition forming a vital part of many licensed owners food security and ability to socially distance?

[TheFirearmEnthusiast]

My friend sent me that

[Permie]

but such is life work is crazy busy, i rather busy work than being with no job.

Yep good problem to have right now!

[poid]

They could have held off on issuing the PTAs and kept the stores open? Or is it OK to not care about the jobs of gun store staff while clothing shops stay open for those "essential" window shoppers roaming the malls?

Personally I've had a PTA to fill since Feb, but since I'm not 100% sure which rifle I'll be buying I've chosen not to fill it for now as people handling rifles poses a risk to the staff in the LGS. I did go in a week ago and grab some stuff to at least support them in some way.

[sungazer]

Stock piling is not or should not be seen as an issue. In fact it should be encouraged it is spending cash which is good for the economy and probably mostly converting it into something that will sit in a locked cupboard and never used.
The same should be said for preppers that had been doing it well prior to the outbreak they were just self insuring at their own expense not causing anyone any harm just converting cash to product giving people all along the supply chain jobs.

[TheFirearmEnthusiast]

Stock piling is not or should not be seen as an issue. In fact it should be encouraged it is spending cash which is good for the economy and probably mostly converting it into something that will sit in a locked cupboard and never used.
The same should be said for preppers that had been doing it well prior to the outbreak they were just self insuring at their own expense not causing anyone any harm just converting cash to product giving people all along the supply chain jobs.

I fully agree Sungazer

[Blackened]

Nonsense deleted, warnings issued.

Keep it on topic. Any repeats of posts that have been removed will be an additional warning.

Local gun shops being forced to temporarily shut down; stick to it.

[Sarco]

I do note that all the media imagery includes pictures of handguns.

To me this is another classic beatup to denigrate LAFO. There is a process in place. PTA, PTA approved by LRD (and only LRD), pick up firearm. As such, If you have an approved PTA and are refused the ability to pick it up, there is no doubt legal recourse, both against the government and the dealer. There are also provisions in the Act.

If LRD do not want you to have the firearms, do not approve the PTA, and then face the legal issues of refusing to approve a totally valid PTA for what are really media reasons.

Handguns are a completely different situation, as they need an additional step of club approval and a justified match (reason), then LRD approval, but the principle is the same.

As for ammunition, with the exception of 22LR etc. a couple of hours in the shed, and I have all the ammo I need. No sales = stupidity.

[Oldbloke]

https://nationalshooting.org.au/blog/f/ ... c-41750949

[Oldbloke]

https://nationalshooting.org.au/blog/f/ ... c-41750949

[Jon79]

Spike in sales wouldn’t have anything to do with advertised 15-20% price increase next month due to weak Aussie dollar?

Or maybe a lot of people suddenly have a lot more free time with everything shutting down?

Or possibly the extra $750 coming to some thought they’d put it towards a rifle or ammo?

Or maybe they were scared with the lock downs the gun shops might close with other types of stores so we’re getting in while they could?

[Permie]

Still awaiting confirmation by my shop if I can pick up today. In the mean time I noticed the premiers website has posted a statement and potentially for my situation and my acreage zoning it says rural landholders will still be able to have access- catch is for ‘essential services’, hopefully pest control on private rural land is deemed to be such.

“Those with a need to access firearms and ammunition for essential services, like farmers and rural landholders, professional vermin control and armed guards will still be able to access them for these purposes.”

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/restrict ... mmunition/

[marksman]

Thats a good article Olbloke
lisa neville and the andrews government are the ones having anxiety but in truth the police do not like firearms in society and will take any advantage they can
the problem these gunshops will have is that the police are not paying the lawyer bills and l dont know if the gunshops can play the game for long
the police can drag it out over many years

[NTSOG]

The article in The Age omitted part of Neville's statement: “It is an incredibly stressful time with pressures around family violence and work. “It is about keeping the community safe.”

I find her comment associating shooters in general with family violence offensive.

Jim

[TassieTiger]

Your correct Jim - the connection is absolutely disgusting.

On another note, I was going to start another thread re price increase during covid, but there are too many already.
Just received my supagas account - it has gone up 50% since last year and the year before that.
I’ve emailed them asking why - in the face of this uncertainty- do they feel price gouging is a step in the right direction...will be interesting to see their response.

[marksman]

we live in the communist state of victoriastan comrad

"Good morning everyone,
The Licensing and Regulation Division would like to reiterate the importance placed on Victorian’s health and safety during this State of Emergency.
Following a decision by National Cabinet, the Licensing and Regulation Division has been advised there will be a suspension of all firearm transactions including the sale, hire and loan of firearms and ammunition for the reasons of Sport or Target Shooting, Clay Target Shooting and Recreational hunting.
This suspension, effective immediately, will remain for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.
Those with a genuine need for access to ammunition and firearms for a clear occupational requirement, will be able to continue to access firearms and ammunition for these purposes.

We understand this change has evolved suddenly, however, we would appreciate your cooperation and continued support during these uncertain times.

Please find attached a copy of the signed Notice of Variation for your reference. If you have further questions or concerns please contact lrd@police.vic.gov.au and forward this email to any other firearm dealers in Victoria.

Stay safe and kind regards,
Licensing and Regulation Division
Regulatory Services Department
Victoria Police"

http://www.ozgunsales.com/listing/77167 ... tions.html

[marksman]

qlder's are just bad people

https://www.lafo.com.au/qld-health-pins ... -evidence/

any excuse at all

[TassieTiger]

Well, the “fallback line” sacrifices QLD, so maybe they are right

[marksman]

WAPol explain that each dealer will be personally visited by a member of the Party Police!



https://www.lafo.com.au/wa-police-order ... ps-closed/

[trekin]

:sarcasm: Well, the “fallback line” sacrifices QLD, so maybe they are right

Yeah, but every inch of QLD would have cost them dearly.

[TassieTiger]

Just heard - USA courts rule gun shops essential and they can re open...

[Permie]

Victorian FAQ’s have been released, with a lot of clarification

https://www.police.vic.gov.au/sites/def ... itions.pdf

[Permie]

As posted in the Vic thread, Victorian FAQ’s have just been published with a fair bit of detail.

https://www.police.vic.gov.au/sites/def ... itions.pdf

[TassieTiger]

Interesting release - how does closure, limit the amount of unnecessary firearms on the street?????????

[NTSOG]

Cripes! I sent off my Licence renewal about 8 days ago. I hope the blighters at the Victorian Registry process it and don't put it on hold too.

It just occurred to me that the clampdown on gun shops and recreational shooters indicates that the socialist types who have turned Police Forces into quasi social work services might have realised that they cannot guarantee that a Police Service model will be adequate in emergencies to keep the 'peasants' in order. Hence disarm the peasants.

Jim.

[Ziege]

Interesting release - how does closure, limit the amount of unnecessary firearms on the street?????????

And what is the necessary amount? Who decided that? They already DICTATE who can have what guns, how can they possibly reinforce that attitude with anything other than paranoia?

[TassieTiger]

Your correct Jim - the connection is absolutely disgusting.

On another note, I was going to start another thread re price increase during covid, but there are too many already.
Just received my supagas account - it has gone up 50% since last year and the year before that.
I’ve emailed them asking why - in the face of this uncertainty- do they feel price gouging is a step in the right direction...will be interesting to see their response.

Just in case anyone is interested- supagas account manager called me and advised why and how the increase and how they are supporting all clubs, pubs etc with account freezing. Because I’m on an annual account - the price increase was not communicated 5 months ago, as a result they have given A 50% discount plus discount on next refill. I’m very satisfied with their response and would withdraw any accusations RE their potential price gouging - not because of my discounts (scheme of things, it’s mini $$$), but the fact they called to explain ? Huge props.

[Sergeant Hartman]

I will probably find out in a couple of days if elgas have increased prices for April

[Sergeant Hartman]

Tbh while its a s**t show, the faq looks to bev quite reasonable. Esp around people who have already paid a deposit and paid for a pta.. they can still probably get the firearm.