Federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie yesterday launched a nationwide study of the benefits of shooting and hunting in a bid to stop licensed gun owners from being treated as “pariahs”.

Speaking at the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia Shot Expo in Claremont, Senator McKenzie also announced Australia Post had been given permission to start delivering guns across the State again.

Senator McKenzie said law-abiding gun owners wanted their recreational pursuits to be treated like everyone else’s.

“That’s all we are asking for,” she said. “We don’t want special deals, we just don’t want to be treated like pariahs, terrorists, you know, problem children.

“We are loud and proud and we are in every single country town and capital city.”

As part of her mission to challenge the way people think about gun owners, Senator McKenzie has commissioned a study of the economic, environmental and social benefits of shooting and hunting. She said one study in Victoria had found hunting contributed more than $430 million to the regional economy and resulted in 1500 direct jobs.

“Often we talk about the contribution that sport makes to social cohesion, family stability, community togetherness,” she said. “Well our sport is like every other sport but we need to be able to articulate that, to measure that and to promote that.”

A policy implemented by police that restricted the transportation of guns and ammunition in WA sparked anger in regional areas last year.

WA Police have now approved an application by Australia Post to become a commercial carrier of firearms.

An Australia Post spokesman said the postal giant hoped to introduce a carriage service for licensed firearm dealers in WA by early next year.

“A detailed implementation program is being co-ordinated to ensure that regulations and conditions are satisfied and to ensure that the service is appropriately secure for our staff and the community,” he said.

Nationals MP Martin Aldridge said the current restrictions had a big impact on regional dealers and firearm owners.