Meet the team

Director: President
Michael Wild

Michael started competitive shooting at the age of 15, and since then he has placed at a state level for his grade on several occasions in his chosen disciplines. He’s a keen small game hunter and die-hard (just look at him) Single Action shooter after discovering the discipline in 2015.
He would also like to see proper Three Gun, with semi-auto rifles introduced, stating “it will bring out the physically demanding side of the sport, proving to the anti’s it’s not just stand and shoot”.
Michael would also like to see FOU lead the way in shining a positive light on the sport while fighting for shooters rights and common-sense gun laws. “Less red tape – more shooting” is his motto. As President, and with the support of the rest of the team, he is determined to make it happen.

 

Director: Vice President
Kirk Yatras

Kirk is a passionate shooter, collector and keen hunter. With a Bachelor of Economics from UQ Kirk would like to see a more analytical approach brought into firearms legislation in Australia.

Director: Secretary
Shane Bennett

My name is Shane Bennett and I am the FOU ACT Primary Representative and Secretary. I have been a shooter for a little over 7 years with a strong interest in hunting, but I’ll often spend a
Sunday morning at the SSAA Majura range socialising and plinking.

I joined Firearm Owners United not long after it was formed and became the ACT Representative as I saw a need for political activism in defence of Australian lawful firearm owners and the shooting sports, particularly in Canberra due to the strong anti-gun presence in the region.

Since joining FOU, I have had a number of articles and comments published in the Canberra Times, written many letters to various Ministers, both local and Federal, met with Ministers, and many other activities related to advancing the interests of Australian lawful firearm owners.

Director: Treasurer 
R. B

R is an ex-Army Fitter Armament, and continues to work in the defence private sector as an armourer. In addition to being an FOU director, he is also a director of a small projectile making company and an engineering company; and enjoys most forms of shooting.
He is another big fan of policy reform and, and has been a key resource as our expert witness in the ongoing WT15 classification case currently before QCAT.
R would like to see greater access to Cat C/D, and a reduction in licensing’s bureaucratic nonsense.

Director Without Portfolio
Luke Smith

Luke joined FOU in late 2017 as a team member, attending Expo’s in Melbourne with our president. Shortly after attending Expo’s he took over processing of merchandise orders and getting that gear out to our fans. In 2019 he was nominated for and elected to the Board of Directors.
Luke grew up hunting in regional Victoria with his father & grandfather and remains a passionate hunter to this day, whilst also starting to dip his toes into the world of PRS. He enjoys spending his free time at eagle park range in Little River or reloading at home. Luke would like to see the NFA revoked

 

 

Director Without Portfolio
Christopher Shipp

Chris operates a vertebrate pest control company in his spare time and enjoys the occasional clay shoot and target shoot to relax.
Chris has written several licencing guides and aims to help people obtain their desired licence category in NSW.
He is a big fan of policy reform and, like most of the organisation, is in regular correspondence with many regarding issues as they arise.
Chris would like to see a more streamlined licencing process that does away with categories and continues to make headway in gaining FOU a “genuine reason” status in NSW.