A PROTEST was held by members of the SAFE or Stop Arms Fairs in Eurobodalla at the Narooma Streetscape official opening on Saturday.
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Spokesman Alan Baxter said the protestors gathered at NATA oval were concerned by the Eurobodalla Shire Council’s approval to allow the sale of guns and ammunition at the 2015 HuntFest Event.
“It was to raise awareness and to let the councillors who voted in favour of the gun sales, know that opposition to this is not going away,” he said.
Guns and ammunition sales and a mobile shooting range were currently approved for HuntFest to be held at the Narooma Sport and Leisure Centre, he said.
“The protest was organised by the SAFE group and those who attended, although from varying political views, came together in a common cause to educate and inform the community that selling guns in our town is not acceptable,” he said.
“SAFE believes that many community members do not realize that there will be guns and ammunition for sale at this year’s Huntfest.
“We are again asking the community if they really do want to allow Eurobodalla Shire Council to promote a gun culture within our community.
“Following the recent tragic Martin Place siege in Sydney, last year’s family murder/suicide in rural NSW and the numerous other gun related deaths in Australia, the best response is to reduce gun sales, not promote them.”
HuntFest organiser and president of the South Coast Hunters Club, Dan Field said those present at the event on Saturday were not impressed, given it was meant to be a community celebration.
“We support people’s right to protest, but what they’ve done and where they’ve done it is totally inappropriate,” he said.
“They keep saying they have 80 per cent support of the community but with only 16 or so present, someone’s math is incorrect.”
HuntFest organisers were pleased with the progress for this year’s event on the June long weekend saying they already had 70 exhibitors.
They were also very happy to announce the major sponsorship of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia NSW.
