BAD boy swimmers Nick D'Arcy and Kenrick Monk have sparked outrage after they posed with high-powered weapons in a US gun shop.

The pair smile smugly holding automatic pistols and pump-action shot guns similar to those used in the Virginia Tech and Port Arthur massacres.

Swimming Australia demanded Monk remove the picture after he posted it on Facebook.

It's understood the photo was taken in California where the Australian Olympic squad have been training.

Olympic chiefs have slammed the athletes for their stupidity less than two months before competition in London.

"These postings today are foolish and clearly inappropriate for members of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team," said Australian chef de mission Nick Green.

"Anything that is not in the Olympic spirit, or does not follow our guidelines will come down.

"There is no such thing as privacy on social media. Anything that is put up will be in the public domain.

"This incident serves as a warning to all athletes on the 2012 team about the dangers of social media. We say again to our athletes, do not put anything up on social media that you would not share with your mother or your grandmother.

"By all means use social media, but use it responsibly."

Gun Control Australia spokesman John Crook said it was a new low for the athletes.

"If ever there was a photo of two kids playing macho boys this is it," Mr Crook said.

He said D'Arcy was pictured holding semi-automatic pistols, similar to those used by Virgina Tech Massacre gunman Cho Seung-Hui.



Monk was holding the same guns used by Martin Bryant who murdered 35 people in Port Arthur in 1996.

"It's a disgrace to the Olympic swimming team,'' Mr Crook said.

"I doubt they have the moral sensitivity to be concerned about human suffering."

It is not the first time the swimmers have been embroiled in controversy.



Last year Monk made a false complaint to police claiming he was the victim of a hit and run when he had actually fallen off his skateboard and broken his elbow in two places.



In 2008, D'Arcy was charged over a king-hit on teammate Simon Cowley during a brawl on the night the Australian Olympic team was named.



Cowley suffered a broken jaw, eye socket, cheekbone and nose in the attack.



D'Arcy later declared himself bankrupt saying he was unable to pay $370,000 in damages and costs.



The Herald Sun is seeking comment from D'Arcy, Monk and the Australian Olympic Committee.

NICK D'ARCY AND KENRICK MONK'S CHEQUERED HISTORY



March 31, 2008 - D'Arcy charged over king-hit on teammate Simon Cowley during a brawl on the night the Australian Olympic team was named. Cowley suffered a broken jaw, eye socket, cheekbone and nose in the attack.



April 18, 2008 - D'Arcy dropped from Beijing Olympic team over assault.



March 27, 2009 - D'Arcy avoids jail for Cowley attack, instead receiving a 14-month suspended sentence.



April, 2010 - D'Arcy tests positive for banned drug formoterol. FINA claims is was not sent documentation that would allow D'Arcy to use the drug to treat asthma.



September 28, 2011 - Monk breaks his elbow, telling police he is a victim of a hit-and-run by a P-plate driver while riding his bike to training in Brisbane. He is helped from the scene by D'Arcy and Stephanie Rice.



October 2, 2011 - Monk admits to lying to police about hit-and-run and reveals he broke the bones in his elbow after falling off his skateboard.



November 27, 2011 - Queensland Police opt not to press charges against Monk, before the police union labels him a "wannabe B-grade celebrity athlete".



December, 2011 - Cowley successfully sues D'Arcy. D'Arcy ordered to pay $370,000 in damages and costs. D'Arcy declares himself bankrupt.



March 23, 2012 – D’Arcy and Monk are named in Australia’s swimming team for the London Olympic Games.



June 7, 2012 - D'Arcy and Monk court controversy again when they are pictured posing with guns in a US gun shop.