Shooters may have a new store to stock up on guns and ammunition in the Scenic Rim – if it is approved by government regulators. 

Hayes and Co is hoping to expand its Silverdale Saleyards into an “agricultural precinct”, with a saddlery and gun shop to add to its western apparel and country merchandise. 

Owner and auctioneer Peter Hayes said he applied for a weapon dealer licence from the Queensland government last month. 

As his company would be using its existing building, Mr Hayes said he had been advised by the Scenic Rim Regional Council that no Development Application would be required. 

Pending a green tick from gun regulators, Mr Hayes said he was planning a grand opening in the New Year and to have the new precinct open by next June. 

He said the application process had been “fairly intense”. 

“You’ve got to have a vault, you've got to store your ammunition,” Mr Hayes said. 

“You’ve got to build barred windows, the safe has gotta be made out of besser block or brick and have a proper door that can't be forced.”

But he said there was a niche in the market, following the closure of Smiffy's Guns n Ammo in Boonah. 

“The closest one is Beaudesert, I think there is one in Jimboomba and then you’ve gotta go to Warwick,” he said. 

He said the weapons store would focus on ammunition and rifles as well as bows and arrows.