CRAIOLA’S Gel Blasters opened its store on George Street earlier this month and although the lifelike toy guns are legal, police have warned individuals using the items in a threatening way could face penalties.
Pedestrians and shoppers are unlikely to have missed the new gel blaster store, which sells replica assault rifles among other tactical items, which have become increasingly popular in recent months.
Store proprietors Craig Davies and Nicola Manser sell protective gear such as vests and goggles for the recreational activity, similar to paintball, however the accurate firearm resemblance is what has caused some controversy.
Gel blasters have the appearance of real weapons but shoot water-filled gel pellets.
“They do cause a bit of a stir, however we have found most people here, especially families, are happy with them,” Mr Davies said.
“We have invited the council to come see the store and we’re also applying for land to create a skirmish area.
“The response from the business community has been great.
“I reckon we had about thirty people come through shaking our hands and saying, ‘it’s great to see a new business in Millicent, we’re so glad you’re here’.
“We have had a few sneers from people who have come up to us at the Rotary market in Mount Gambier and said, ‘you should not sell things like that, we did not grow up with things like that’ and I say, ‘well, yes you did – you had BB guns’.”
South Australia is one of the only states where the sale, purchase and possession of gel blasters is legal.
“They’re not firearms under the Firearms Act however, because of their appearance they have caused us some concern and also concern to members of the public,” South Australia Police’s Firearms Branch officer in charge Superintendent Howard said.
“People can mistake them for firearms and so you are committing an offence if you take one out in public and use it in a threatening way.”
Supt Howard said individuals using the toy for assault could have their charges upgraded to aggravated assault.
“It would double the penalty,” he said.
“So if you assaulted someone without a gel blaster, the maximum penalty is two years; with a gel blaster it would be four years.”
While acknowledging some individuals might do the “wrong thing”, Mr Davies the guns provided younger people with another activity, while the proposed skirmish area would result in an economic and tourist boost for the town.
He said the sport encouraged physical activity among people who might normally be “sitting in front of a screen”.
Millicent Business and Community Association chair Lee Morgan said although he would not purchase the products, the new store was a welcome addition to the town.
“Providing the business operators are working within legislative requirements, then they have every right to conduct their business in the main street,” he said.
“I am not a big fan of promoting lookalike firearms, but at least these operators are utilising a vacant shop.
“I would strongly encourage anyone to establish a business in Millicent, as it’s already a hard slog for business owners who are competing with bigger retail stores and the internet.”
Wattle Range Council chief executive Ben Gower said he was unaware of any official complaints about the store, but said elected members had been contacted about the replica firearms.
“Whilst I understand people may be concerned it is not a council matter – it is a legal issue,” he said.
