Big gun billboard welcomes highway traffic to Gympie
WELCOME to Gympie, land of green fields, waving trees, and... a giant shotgun?
Although the former are lauded as emblematic of the region's lifestyle, the latter is now part of the package thanks to a huge new Gun World Australia billboard at the city's entrance.
About 4m wide, 2m high and encouraging people to "start the year with a bang", the sign greets northbound travellers at the Six Mile Oval and sits right next to one welcoming people to Gympie.
A Gun World spokesman declined to comment on the sign.
Other billboards for the Logan-based shop have stirred controversy throughout the year.
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart told ABC Radio earlier this month that that sign, which showed a gift-wrapped handgun along with the slogan "What's under your tree this year?", was "abhorrent" and he would like it to be removed.
Reader poll
Do you think the new Gun World Australia billboard at Gympie's southern entrance is an issue?
This poll ended on 07 January 2019.
Current Results
Yes, it is offensive and should be removed.
11%
No, it is advertising a product like any other store.
84%
It doesn't bother me if it goes or stays.
3%
This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
"The message that sends to me and to most people in the community would be quite abhorrent and against everything that's really good about Australia."
His comments were criticised by Firearm Owners United on social media.
Another sign on the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane advertising ammunition caught heat in February, and a Christmas-themed one at Ipswich last year also stoked outrage.
What do you think of the Gympie sign and its placement?
Do you think it risks giving travellers a bad impression about the region, or is it nothing more than fair advertising of a legal product?
