Police are investigating the hacking of a gun club database that may have exposed where more than 1500 semi-automatic handguns are stored.

The private details of 540 members from the Port Melbourne club, including the types of weapons they owned, is believed to have been compromised this month, potentially exposing them to the theft of guns worth at least $5000 each on the black market.

The shooting range at the Port Melbourne club was closed on November 8 for safety reasons. Credit:Michael Clayton Jones

Most members own multiple guns, and store them in their homes.

One Melbourne International Shooting Club member who stores nine handguns in his home, including a 9mm Glock and Colt .45 automatic – both highly sought-after weapons in the underworld – urged police to confirm whether he was at risk.