In the midst of a crisis in the firearms industry brought on by rushed changes to federal and state gun laws, and the uncertainty this has caused, one Australian firearms importer is actively seeking new investment.
Australian Sporting Agencies (ASA) imports a range of firearms and accessories, including a number of button-release firearms that have been targeted by the new laws, but its CEO Bastian Green says he is looking ahead to what he believes will be a bright future.
He admits his business took a hit as soon as the new gun laws were announced, but says he already had new bolt-action and other firearms in the pipeline which would cover any losses that may come from new restrictions on existing products.
He also points out that there would still be a market for button- and lever-release firearms while some states continue to categorise them as Cat A and B firearms, available to regular shooters.
If trade in those firearms was stopped by law, he believes the government would be obliged to compensate businesses — although he acknowledges that there is still no certainty.
Mr Green sees plenty of scope to work within the new laws, and points to the experience of the gun industry in the aftermath of the 1996 laws, when a number of companies that reacted quickly were able to establish large businesses that did well.
“Right now, nobody knows anything and nobody wants to make a decision,” he says.
“Dealers have a big problem because there’s no clear messaging regarding the laws.
“I see an opportunity and so am looking for more funding.”
That opportunity comes partly from the fact that the governments are “regulating stuff they know nothing about,” he says, pointing to the surge in licence applications as an example of the outcomes.
“All these new licenses will increase demand, and if we are able to keep stock on hand and supply that demand, while our competitors can’t, we will have a big advantage.”
He says he would love to have one or more investors from within the firearms community come on board, partly because he believes they will better understand the environment they’d be working in and what needs to be done.
The ASA website has more details of what is being offered, as well as a link to request more details.
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