Shooters respond to 'disappointing' firearms, ammunition ban

On Tuesday, access to firearms and ammunition was severely restricted after sales spiked amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Applications to access to firearms doubled last week, which Victoria Police deputy commissioner Shane Patton believed was "too much of a risk" to continue.

Natimuk and District Field and Game secretary Tom Hardman said the announcement was a blow to law-abiding gun owners.

"As far as some of the language they used, it was a bit disappointing. They were sort of saying it was a public safety issue which paints the legal gun owner as someone not to be trusted," Mr Hardman said.

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"We're all law-abiding citizens and we've got pretty strict protocols and laws in place when it comes to securing our ammunition and firearms.

"To have something like this to try and paint us in a bad a light is disappointing."

Police minister Lisa Neville said the increase in applications brought with it an increased risk that firearms and ammunition would not be stored safely.

"To prevent potential stockpiling and the risk that firearms and ammunition could fall into criminal hands or dealers could be targeted by organised crime, licensed dealers will now be prohibited from selling firearms and ammunition for sporting or recreational purposed for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak," a statement read.

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Mr Hardman believed people would be "buying up" at this time to soften the financial impact of COVID-19 on the sport.

"One of the big reasons for people buying up at the time was because as soon as the Australian dollar started falling we were warned that prices would rise. Everything is imported, there is no firearm or ammunition manufacturer in Australia," he said.

"With the Aussie dollar crashing, in future we're going to be paying an exorbitant price once everything is shipped in once the ban is lifted."

Natimuk and District Field and Games and most clubs nationwide have cancelled shoots indefinitely in line with social distancing guidelines.

"As a community we've all been pretty supportive of all the lockdown. All the clubs have been cancelling shoots for weeks to make sure social distancing is being adhered to," Mr Hardman said.

"Even in the hunting community I've seen a lot of blokes, talking about how they won't be going out and hunting at all because it is a non-essential activity.

"When it all started coming we thought there was no point trying to do anything when we should be doing the right thing. As a club you want to be encouraging your members to stay at home and doing the right thing."

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