Fury as reverend says shooters have "sexual sickness"

Shooters have turned against the Reverend Bill Crews after the 2GB radio announcer and Uniting Church minister broadcast his belief that shooters have a “sexual sickness”.

The SSAA of NSW has demanded an apology from 2GB after this latest of many attacks on firearm owners by Reverend Crews.

SSAA NSW executive director Dianna Melham said the comments were inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory.

“Mr Crews’ assertion that licensed, law abiding firearm owners suffer from some kind of ‘sexual sickness’ are deeply offensive to firearm owners who are taking part in a completely legal activity,” she said.

“The fact that Mr Crews’ program is one of the poorest rating shows on 2GB is no excuse for him to put forward these intolerant views about honest, law abiding firearm owners who come from all walks of life.”

She encouraged all SSAA members to contact 2GB to complain, while others have suggested shooters tell the Uniting Church of their anger.

Other shooters say they are now boycotting the reverend’s charity, the Exodus Foundation.

Crews’s comments, which have no basis in fact, have been labelled as “bigotry” and another example of the vilification of shooters.

Ms Melham underlined the laws about holding a firearm licence in NSW.

“People applying for a firearms licence in NSW are required to undergo a comprehensive NSW police background check, and anyone with a criminal history – including sexual based offences – would not be granted a licence,” she said.

Reverend Crews is not expected to accept her offer to try shooting at a range.

Mick Matheson

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Mick grew up with guns and journalism, and has included both in his career. A life-long hunter, he has long-distant military experience and holds licence categories A, B and H. In the glory days of print media, he edited six national magazines in total, and has written about, photographed and filmed firearms and hunting for more than 15 years.