A Queensland gel blaster seller has been ordered to vacate their shop after a backlash from shopping centre customers who deemed it "intimidating" and "in bad taste".

Key points: CQ Blasters opened its store in Rockhampton on Monday, but were told to close on Wednesday

CQ Blasters opened its store in Rockhampton on Monday, but were told to close on Wednesday Gel blasters look like real weapons, but shoot water-filled gel pellets instead of bullets

Gel blasters look like real weapons, but shoot water-filled gel pellets instead of bullets They are legal in Queensland and South Australia, but are banned in NSW and Victoria, with no regulation in WA

CQ Blasters opened its store in a Rockhampton shopping centre on Monday, but were asked to leave by centre management on Wednesday after a series of complaints from shoppers.

Gel blasters, which look like real weapons, shoot water-filled gel pellets.

They are often used by players navigating outdoor obstacle courses — much like paint ball.

CQ Blasters co-owner Damien Geyer said the centre's response was counter to the experience they had in-store.

"We were absolutely shocked, devastated. We were given 90 minutes' notice [to vacate] and it was a huge blow," Mr Geyer said.

"The first few days we have just been super busy, a really positive response from the community. So to hear this at the end of the day, I mean, we've only been open three days.

"[We've been] bringing lots of people into the centre who wouldn't have normally been there — lots of business for the centre."

CQ Blasters co-owner Damien Geyer said he was shocked his store was ordered to vacate by shopping centre management just two days after opening. ( Supplied: Damien Geyer )

But customers on their way to do their grocery shopping were not impressed by the new store.

"I'm not happy about it, especially after the Darwin shooting," Rockhampton resident Louise Dern said.

"It's quite intimidating — I didn't expect to see that.

Children wearing protective goggles take aim with gel blasters during a skirmish-style game in Brisbane. ( ABC News: Dea Clark )

"And they're in straight view as you walk in the shop — not in a family grocery shop."

Shopper Phil Smith said the guns were "in very bad taste".

"Even though they're replicas, you walk into a shop somewhere with that — I mean what's the first thing you're going to think? You're going to hit the ground."

Gel blaster player Kobe Weder said it was a great sport and he was excited to have a local store.

"I got my first [blaster] online," he said.

"They sell pretty much the same guns here but it's good now that we have the local store because you can walk in, try out the guns, hold them, and that's the best thing."

'Emotional response' to firearms

University of Queensland criminologist Suzanna Fay said the realistic-looking replicas naturally stirred a response in people.

"I can understand, especially when we've had something like what we've had in Darwin this week. People get worried when they see these kinds of things because they can see the potential for their misuse," Dr Fay said.

"And I think that fear is not necessarily about the firearm itself but it's really about our emotional response to what we're seeing in society in terms of the misuse of firearms.

"In some ways you can understand people's fear if they're not used to seeing or handling firearms — they do look very realistic.

"But I do think it's important to point out that they are toys. The reason they aren't regulated here in Queensland is because they're not seen to be something that can endanger life in their everyday use."

Gel blasters are currently legal in Queensland and South Australia but are banned in New South Wales and Victoria. There is no regulation on the toys in Western Australia.

"This is really about an emotional response that is a legitimate emotional response," Dr Fay said.

"But before we start regulating or stigmatising retailers for something they're selling, maybe we should have a deeper conversation about what is it really that we're concerned about, how can we best problem-solve that, so our concerns can be minimised, and safety to the community maximised."

In a statement, shopping centre management Charter Hall said, in light of customer concerns, they reviewed the store and the product for sale and asked the casual tenant to vacate.

Gel pellets used by gel blasters. The game is still relatively new to parts of Australia, but growing in popularity. ( ABC News: Dea Clark )

Queensland Police Minister, Mark Ryan, said in a statement that he had "raised the issue with the Police Commissioner and understands that the Queensland Police Service is considering whether any regulations can be changed following the court decision that these items are toys".

"That being said, there are already current laws in place which carry heavy penalties for anyone who uses any item including toys or replica firearms in a menacing, threatening, or offensive way.

"In fact, I am informed that a number of people were charged with these offences last month."

Two men were charged with weapon offences in Townsville on Wednesday for firing a gel blaster at a garage door, forcing a local school into lockdown for 20 minutes.

Last month three men were charged with weapons offences for a drive-by shooting with gel blasters in Stanthorpe and will face court later this month.

'Classed as toy guns'

CQ Blasters co-owner Leigh Vickerstaffe said they always reminded their clients to cover up their gel blasters if bringing them into the store for a service, to prevent alarming the public.

"We do actually put red tape on them and things like that, so they do look like replicas obviously. I know it's not a law here, it's not necessary, but I think it's good," she said.

"They are classed as toy guns, so it's private use only.

"I say to people — keep your box. Don't just bring them in as they are, because you can get into trouble by the police and people don't know what they are."

They are classed as firearms in New South Wales and Victoria.

While they were classed as a "projectile toy" by a Queensland magistrate last year, people can still be charged with weapon offences if they use the toys in a public place or in a menacing manner.

CQ Blasters co-owner Leigh Vickerstaffe at her Rockhampton store selling gel blasters, hours before the business was ordered to vacate by shopping centre management. ( ABC Capricornia: Megan Hendry )

Ms Vickerstaffe said they had informed the police the store was opening as a precaution.

"I've actually had police come in and buy blasters, so it's right out there with everyone," she said.

Rockhampton resident Natasha Anderson said she was on her way to the store to buy her son a blaster and was shocked to find it closed.

"In the end, they're only toys," she said.

"It should have all been talked about properly before they decided 'Yeah, you can have a shop', let them set it up, do all the hard work, and turn around and close [them] down.

"It's a bit ridiculous."

In the meantime, Mr Geyer said they were already in the process of finding a new store in Rockhampton.

"We should be open again next week sometime but to have the rope pulled out from under our feet that quickly, with literally no notice … it's pretty hard to take.

"But we'll just press on and do what we can."