When you open a gun shop, you’d better know a lot about guns. “I’ve been around the things since I was about 16, when I started clay pigeon shooting in the UK,” says Darren Ridley, the father of two who’s lived in Hillcrest for almost two decades. His involvement in the South African firearms industry stretches back more than 30 years.
Story: Gavin Foster
Darren, an experienced inter-provincial clay target shottist, opened his new shop, The Gunroom, in Hillcrest three months ago, subsequent to the embattled industry beginning to revive after seven hard years.
Firearm dealers closed down in droves and thousands of people handed in legally-owned firearms when a complicated new licensing and re-licensing system was foisted upon a confused public in 2004. Misrepresentation by the anti-gun lobby aided by shoddy reporting in the media led to the belief that law-abiding citizens would be disarmed and new gun licences virtually impossible to acquire.
Believing their licences to have expired, gun owners relinquished licensed weapons for destruction without compensation, and the issuing of new licences slowed to a trickle, often taking more than five years.
“Things have settled down now and new licences generally come through within two months of submission,” says Darren. “The test is not difficult and you have to know how to use the gun you want to licence, which is fair enough. Once you’ve jumped through the hoops, the process is reasonably streamlined for law-abiding people with clean records.”
Healthy gun culture
With violent crime a reality in the Highway area, Darren has a steady flow of customers looking for some means of self-protection. “Firearms should be used only as a last resort, but if the need arises, you could end up very glad that you have one,” he says. “There’s a healthy gun culture in the Highway area – many of the people here have experience with firearms.”
The Gunroom isn’t only about guns. Darren stocks binoculars, pocket knives, paintball equipment, knife sharpeners and torches, while numerous other lifestyle products line the shelves and cabinets. Air rifles and pistols are very popular, both amongst adults who love the affordable plinking they allow, and parents who wish to safely and cheaply introduce their offspring to the shooting sports.
While Darren doesn’t provide firearm training, he’s willing to put customers in touch with reputable trainers, and his experience as a top-level clay pigeon shooter qualifies him to provide friendly advice in that field.
Visit The Gunroom at 6a Hillcrest Centre, Old Main Road, Hillcrest or call 031 765 1502