Thread: Small Retailers Struggling/Under attack

I've been talking to a few small firearms retailers lately. Holey Moley, I didn't realise the extent of the struggle of getting any services from other businesses! Apparently it is almost impossible to get business finance as almost all lenders wont lend to any sort of "gun store". This makes it near impossible to sell a firearms related business as no one can get finance to buy it (hence the demise of Shooters Supplies). Also insurance is very hard to get for the same reasons, freight companies are refusing to let firearms retailers open new accounts in some cases. I also just heard that Gunworks have had their credit card account cancelled by Visa because the sell guns! They could only take eftpos today.

So basically unless you are extremely rich and/or very well connected its near impossible to start a new/buy a gun store nowadays.

Additionally, they are really struggling with the registry paranoia and people no longer buying or selling firearms. I've also been told by a good source that the buying of ammo is also soon to become a triggering event? Not sure of the details there, maybe someone knows more details of this?

Look I understand the registry paranoia to some extent, but at the end of the day the authorities already have the address and licence details (endorsements etc) of every license holder. If they happened to have a leak this is already a significant risk for burglaries etc but this is what it is and it is how it has always been. Information on what firearms you have seems only a small additional risk on top of this already large risk.

The reality is, the registry is quite unlikely to go away. You will probably be forced to register anyway and in the mean time we would have lost the remaining small retailers that are just hanging on currently. Also unless you have a shit tonne of ammo or you hand-load, ammo may be set to become a triggering event too (still not sure on the details of that). All that will be left is GC and H&F and we can all enjoy the associated price hikes! There surely wont be any more small retailers signing up for this punishment!

I love the small retailers, the honest prices, the stocking of a weird variety of things and a friendly face for a yarn from someone who is generally not trying to shaft you. It would be such a tragedy to see them go.

Purchasing ammunition becomes an activating event from June 2025. I do feel for not only the small retailers, all are suffering. I had firearms registered, enough said.

andy from shooters supplies is now at colectorweapons.co.nz

Indeed, but it sounded like an absolute battle for him to get into business (nearly wasn't able to make it happen), and this is a guy with 20+ years of experience and contacts in the industry. Cant imagine starting from scratch.

. All that will be left is GC and H&F and we can all enjoy the associated price hikes! There surely wont be any more small retailers signing up for this punishment!

I love the small retailers, the honest prices, the stocking of a weird variety of things and a friendly face for a yarn from someone who is generally not trying to shaft you. It would be such a tragedy to see them go.[/QUOTE]

I am glad somebody else said this as it echoes my thoughts exactly. Support the small shops or they will be gone.

funny how some actors are so desperate to blame the registry for the conditions brought upon us by the same people that introduced the registry.

Quick! all register your firearms because that will totally change economic circumstances and everybody will suddenly want to buy more rifles.

Most people do not need more firearms, and are struggling for money. Hence they would rather not spend any more money for something they do not need. register or not...

H&F Invercargill is listed as a Camping Store on Googling their store.

The whole country is in an economic recession. The average Joe Bloggs has very little spare cash.
It isnt just gunshops that are going to the wall - every small business is struggling.
If gunshops relied in the profit from selling guns then there would be no gun shops left at all.
Hard times sorts the viable businesses from the non-viable

Originally Posted by STC

funny how some actors are so desperate to blame the registry for the conditions brought upon us by the same people that introduced the registry.

Quick! all register your firearms because that will totally change economic circumstances and everybody will suddenly want to buy more rifles.

Most people do not need more firearms, and are struggling for money. Hence they would rather not spend any more money for something they do not need. register or not...

The economic situation is an undeniable factor, but its difficult to believe that people trying to avoid the registry is not also having an impact. I've heard this sentiment from a variety of retailers. It was just a message for those who are holding out purchases for some clarity on the registry that they may find that there are less retailers and higher prices by the time they finally do. If people are ok with that then so be it. Soon it will be ammo too, so not just gun sales.

Originally Posted by STC

Hard times sorts the viable businesses from the non-viable

A key difference with gun shops is that when these shops close, they close for good. As previously mentioned, only the big players will be left and no-one else will be able to get back into it when times recover.

It not only small firearms related businesses. Try farming: Banks now getting in on the "manage your CO2/N footprint or we'll make life hard for you (despite already being about the best in the global farming sector anyway) . All sorts of big businesses are wanting DEI statements from you....from contractor one man bands FFS!!!

I fit in the 'one change of firearm every decade' category, so am hardly going to prop up anyone's business with that sort of throughput.

Its going to get worse before it gets worse...unfortunately

And then all the same Kens/Karens will want protecting should a World war come along again...

Originally Posted by Juicy

The economic situation is an undeniable factor, but its difficult to believe that people trying to avoid the registry is not also having an impact. I've heard this sentiment from a variety of retailers. It was just a message for those who are holding out purchases for some clarity on the registry that they may find that there are less retailers and higher prices by the time they finally do. If people are ok with that then so be it. Soon it will be ammo too, so not just gun sales.



A key difference with gun shops is that when these shops close, they close for good. As previously mentioned, only the big players will be left and no-one else will be able to get back into it when times recover.

Yeah the notion that there never would be another gun store when/if circumstances improve is another narrative you like to push eh? Luckily that is not true.

By the way the firearms related store (not part of the big 2) that I like to frequent most often is doing alright by their own account... Luckily for us it is not all bleak and lost, despite the relentless fearmongering of some...

And yet we would often hear the anecdote that they can’t afford to discount firearms because ‘there’s no profit in them anyway’ and they only stock them to get people in the door for a look..

Originally Posted by STC

Yeah the notion that there never would be another gun store when/if circumstances improve is another narrative you like to push eh? Luckily that is not true.

By the way the firearma related store (not part of the big 2) that I like to frequent most often is doing alright by their own account... Luckily for us it is not all bleak and lost, despite the relentless fearmongering of some...

Lol, oh yes all the things I am saying are a massive conspiracy. Its actually dead easy to open a gun shop, every finance company, insurance company, credit card company is dying to have you on board. They seem to be doing alright despite you previously saying that they weren't doing alright so why don't you give it a go?

I'm probably just some government sanctioned 5G activated nanobot who is trying to indoctrinate people into getting on the registry

Imagine encouraging people to shop local at small retailers, oh the fearmongering and dubious narrative!

Also good on you for sharing the money around with smaller retailers.

Having purchased a new rifle last week the independent that's walking distance gave me by far the best service. I doubt I'll be buying another anytime soon but will try and support them in other ways.

Originally Posted by Juicy

Lol, oh yes all the things I am saying are a massive conspiracy. Its actually dead easy to open a gun shop, every finance company, insurance company, credit card company is dying to have you on board. They seem to be doing alright despite you previously saying that they weren't doing alright so why don't you give it a go?

I'm probably just some government sanctioned 5G activated nanobot who is trying to indoctrinate people into getting on the registry

Imagine encouraging people to shop local at small retailers, oh the fearmongering and dubious narrative!

Also good on you for sharing the money around with smaller retailers.

I would appreciate it if you stopped talking nonsense mate...