Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996?

News and events in the media and political arena relating to firearms.

Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996?

Post by thewoodsnsw » 12 Aug 2025, 8:57 am

Why do they have to offend gun owners like this with this reminder? If they don't like storing guns or don't like gun owners, why do that type of business for them at all? Do they give warnings like this on car websites when you want to buy a car? Only thing equivalent I can think of is cigarette packets always give a warning on the packet -- but I believe that's a warning from the government. Not a private company. There are a lot of dangerous things you could buy that could potentially become dangerous like cars or knives. But people who buy cars are not reminded of any tragic event that happened in history. Same should be with those who want to rent gun safes!

https://www.kss.com.au/storage-options/firearm-storage

In April 1996, Australia was shocked by the brutal killing of 35 people in Port Arthur, Tasmania. In response, one of the changes to come was securely and safely storing firearms in a Gun Safe. This became law in all states and territories in Australia.

It's a shocking reminder every time you go on the website.
How do gun owners feel like this? Do you feel treated like cigarette smokers where the government has to remind you of something horrible?
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by fussy » 12 Aug 2025, 1:22 pm

So, you told them why you were taking your business elsewhere?
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by No1Mk3 » 12 Aug 2025, 1:46 pm

It is not a warning as such, it is a marketing ploy to remind owners of their storage responsibilities and to then show that Kennards have compliant storage facilities to assist owners who for one reason or another cannot store at home. (Laughable when I think of a robbery at a Kennards facility here in Vic one night which netted thieves several guns because there was no on-site security). I do feel you are being a little over sensitive about their marketing as we are constantly reminded of our need to comply with safe storage from many other sources, and we all know PMA is one of the main reasons for secure storage laws.
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by thewoodsnsw » 12 Aug 2025, 3:30 pm

fussy wrote:So, you told them why you were taking your business elsewhere?


Well I won't do business with them. I just wanted to alert everyone else's attention about it.
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by thewoodsnsw » 12 Aug 2025, 3:32 pm

No1Mk3 wrote:It is not a warning as such, it is a marketing ploy to remind owners of their storage responsibilities and to then show that Kennards have compliant storage facilities to assist owners who for one reason or another cannot store at home. (Laughable when I think of a robbery at a Kennards facility here in Vic one night which netted thieves several guns because there was no on-site security). I do feel you are being a little over sensitive about their marketing as we are constantly reminded of our need to comply with safe storage from many other sources, and we all know PMA is one of the main reasons for secure storage laws.


How am I sensitive? They've turned it into something political! Know when you're discriminated against!
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by Wapiti » 12 Aug 2025, 4:28 pm

thewoodsnsw wrote:
No1Mk3 wrote:It is not a warning as such, it is a marketing ploy to remind owners of their storage responsibilities and to then show that Kennards have compliant storage facilities to assist owners who for one reason or another cannot store at home. (Laughable when I think of a robbery at a Kennards facility here in Vic one night which netted thieves several guns because there was no on-site security). I do feel you are being a little over sensitive about their marketing as we are constantly reminded of our need to comply with safe storage from many other sources, and we all know PMA is one of the main reasons for secure storage laws.


How am I sensitive? They've turned it into something political! Know when you're discriminated against!



No need to yell mate.
You do have a point. There is no valid reasons to mention that incident in 1996 when trying to convince potential site renters that they need to be compliant with state firearms laws.
Actually, there is really no need to mention it at all. It's got nothing to do with them, unless they have a policy against storing certain equipment in their premises. And I don't see that they do.
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by No1Mk3 » 12 Aug 2025, 5:12 pm

thewoodsnsw wrote:
No1Mk3 wrote:It is not a warning as such, it is a marketing ploy to remind owners of their storage responsibilities and to then show that Kennards have compliant storage facilities to assist owners who for one reason or another cannot store at home. (Laughable when I think of a robbery at a Kennards facility here in Vic one night which netted thieves several guns because there was no on-site security). I do feel you are being a little over sensitive about their marketing as we are constantly reminded of our need to comply with safe storage from many other sources, and we all know PMA is one of the main reasons for secure storage laws.


How am I sensitive? They've turned it into something political! Know when you're discriminated against!


How am I being discriminated against by some company using a contingent fact of history to try and drum up business? It has no effect on my life or activities whatsoever, and it looks more like you are making a political point about it more so than Kennards, not to mention you're being unable to have a conversation about the matter without shouting about it seeming to be very sensitive.
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by womble » 12 Aug 2025, 6:10 pm

It’s the fairytale that’s become a part of our national identity.

How we reduced violent crime, mass murder, suicide.

We didn’t. None of the above. All have climbed since. But people cling to the fairytale.

Safe storage was and is a good idea though. Accidental child deaths are rare here.

No I won’t buy a safe from Kennards or use their services having now read that spiel on their website. Inappropriate, contentious and just bad taste. You don’t use a tragedy to market your products and try to profit from that tragedy.
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by yoshie » 12 Aug 2025, 9:06 pm

When the laws changed in 96 it brought in storage requirements and you couldnt get a safe for months. Kennard saw an opportunity to profit and provided a storage solution until the supply of safes caught up. Also most people who aren't gun people still think all the guns got banned back in 96 and I'd say Kennards don't really know much more except they offer storage because of 'when all the guns got banned back in 96.'
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by womble » 13 Aug 2025, 3:23 am

yoshie wrote:When the laws changed in 96 it brought in storage requirements and you couldnt get a safe for months. Kennard saw an opportunity to profit and provided a storage solution until the supply of safes caught up. Also most people who aren't gun people still think all the guns got banned back in 96 and I'd say Kennards don't really know much more except they offer storage because of 'when all the guns got banned back in 96.'


A lot more legally own firearms here today than back then. And a lot less mass shootings.

Crime always follows socio economic trends. The 70’s and the 80’s were relatively hard times. High unemployment. High cost of living. More people not coping and wanting to end it all.

A mass shooting is a suicide. Just it’s someone cruel enough to want to take others with him. Revenge against society.

I think we are better today at recognising mental heath struggles and less stigma. Still a long way to go for men’s mental health. We need to do more. Sadly our suicide rate is still terrible. Always check on your mates. If you haven’t heard from them for a while call them. Let them talk and listen.
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by Wapiti » 13 Aug 2025, 6:01 am

With all the difficulties of people that don't own their own homes and find it difficult to get a landlord's approval to bolt a gun safe into a home, this option is a really good service. I guess if the cost to Kennards setting this up isn't recouped through take-up by the public, it will disappear.
I don't know how cost effective it is, I suppose the market will decide that.
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by thewoodsnsw » 13 Aug 2025, 7:10 pm

Wapiti wrote:
thewoodsnsw wrote:
No1Mk3 wrote:It is not a warning as such, it is a marketing ploy to remind owners of their storage responsibilities and to then show that Kennards have compliant storage facilities to assist owners who for one reason or another cannot store at home. (Laughable when I think of a robbery at a Kennards facility here in Vic one night which netted thieves several guns because there was no on-site security). I do feel you are being a little over sensitive about their marketing as we are constantly reminded of our need to comply with safe storage from many other sources, and we all know PMA is one of the main reasons for secure storage laws.


How am I sensitive? They've turned it into something political! Know when you're discriminated against!



No need to yell mate.
You do have a point. There is no valid reasons to mention that incident in 1996 when trying to convince potential site renters that they need to be compliant with state firearms laws.
Actually, there is really no need to mention it at all. It's got nothing to do with them, unless they have a policy against storing certain equipment in their premises. And I don't see that they do.


I haven't been on this forum a long time. I don't use forums that long anymore. I only thought "all caps" was swearing. Didn't know bold was. Sorry. But it's good that I've convinced you. Just wanted to tell the gun community this. :)
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by alexjones » 24 Aug 2025, 7:13 pm

Yes there is more guns now than before 1996. However those guns are in fewer hands. Less people own guns(legally) now than before 1996.

Some people call me a liar when I tell them I own a desert eagle. You can't own a desert eagle in australia.

So many people are ignorant of our gun laws.
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by Pennsylvania Yank » 29 Aug 2025, 3:21 am

The offensive part is not the advertisement, it's the compelling you to lock your guns up or potentially go to jail part that's offensive, even if you simply practice an olympic sport using air rifles or a shooting sport using bird guns. This company essentially owes their very existence to Port Arthur, so why wouldn't they mention it? Seems like good marketing to me.

Speaking of offensive, I wonder if anyone has looked into whether this storage company has received favorable building permits, grants or low interest loans from various government entities to operate their facilities, or if any lawmakers own a financial stake in that business?
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Re: Kennards storage -- why do they mention Port Arthur/1996

Post by womble » 29 Aug 2025, 4:32 am

How is it not common sense to lock your guns up.
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