A bunch of line dancers from Northern Ireland have vacated a council-owned hall in Co Down after they were banned from firing their imitation Colt 45s.
Members of the Missouri Country Music and Line Dancing Club had used the Queen's Hall in Holywood, Co Down for the past five years but decided to switch to another venue when the local council told them their cowboy antics breached fire regulations.
Billy McClintock, who organised the club's monthly meetings said that many members left after they were forced to end their quick draw sessions.
The final straw came when North Down Borough Council enforced a no smoking, no drinking ban on the wild west club.
"How can you have a social evening without a bit of crack and carrying on?" asked Mr McClintock.
"We feel we have been victimised by the council. Every time we went to the hall there was a new set of rules."
The club has now taken its custom to the local yacht club where the sailing fraternity appears unconcerned by their activities.
"We are still using our guns at the yacht club. The council wasn't prepared to negotiate with us. We were just told, that's the rules, like it or lump it," said Mr McClintock.
Stephen Reid, Director of Leisure, Tourism and Community Services for North Down Borough Council, said the club had not been banned from using the Queen's Hall.
But the council was forced to intervene to ensure the club adhered to health and safety regulations.
"Unfortunately the club took the decision to move their sessions when they were unable to comply with non-smoking regulations inside the building specifically related to cigarette smoking.
"The club had been asked on a previous occasion by management to desist from firing replica guns for the same reasons and had complied with this request without argument," added Mr Reid.
PA