A list of gun club members in Otago was stolen from a Dunedin flat along with an arsenal of military weapons this week, a man associated with the club claims.
The list detailed the members of a rifle and pistol club in Dunedin, including addresses and the firearms each member owned, he said. The man fears whoever has the list could use the information to steal weapons or to force members to open gun cabinets during armed home invasions.
Five rifles and 23 handguns, including several military-style semi-automatic firearms, along with ammunition, were stolen from Maitland St on Tuesday.The man said the arsenal was stolen from the flat of the club’s armourer. Club members were sent a text message from club management after the burglary on Tuesday telling them a list of members’ names, addresses and the firearms they owned was stolen with the arsenal, the man said.
The stolen list had made members and their private collections of firearms an easy target for the "criminal fraternity", he said. The man wanted to remain anonymous because he was an associate of a club member who was named on the stolen list.
He feared it was only a matter of time before an innocent person was injured with a stolen weapon. The man believed police needed to do more to protect the listed gun club members before "someone knocks on their door in the middle of the night and asks them to open their safe".
Police should collect all the members’ guns, which included sniper rifles, and secure them until the crime was solved, he said.
Police declined to comment on questions posed by the Otago Daily Times yesterday as "the burglary is still under investigation".
The questions asked included: details of the weapons stolen, confirmation that a list of club members’ details had been stolen and if so, whether club members should fear for their safety.
In an interview on Wednesday, an Otago Shooting Sports Rifle & Pistol Club member, who did not want to be named due to fear of firearms being targeted, said members of the club generally kept details of firearms they owned a secret.
"Their close friends will know, people they trust would know but they don’t make it known among the community about what they have — it’s just not safe to."
The member was concerned about how the burglar "found out" the arsenal was in the flat.
"It makes you think this person was targeted, like it wasn’t just a random ... and that’s why people are very cautious who they tell. Some people don’t even give out their address."
The Dunedin club did not respond to questions from the Otago Daily Times yesterday. The man living in the flat where the arsenal was stolen declined to comment when contacted on Thursday.
In a statement released yesterday, police reminded the public of the obligations and responsibilities of firearms holders.
"Appropriate licences, controls and security existed on this occasion. However, firearms will always remain a desirable object for thieves."
Anyone with information about the burglary, or concerns for their own safety, should contact police, the statement said.
● Dunedin police (03) 471-4800, Crimestoppers 0800 555-111.
