Neil Wallace of Koorawatha represented himself when he plead guilty and was convicted for firearms charges in Young Local Court.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to the charges presented to Magistrate Peter Dare, Wallace didn’t have an approved storage setup for firearms while being the holder of a category A and B firearms licence.
“I’m asking if you’re entering a plea of guilty or not guilty,” Magistrate Dare said.
“Probably guilty,” Wallace said.
Magistrate Dare read over police facts and a document submitted by Wallace.
“Are you going to try and renew your firearms licence?” Magistrate Dare asked.
“They confiscated my firearms licence. Can you explain to me how I can get my licence back?” Wallace replied.
“It’s not up to me to offer advice Mr Wallace.” Magistrate Dare said.
Magistrate Dare convicted the 64-year-old with no further proposed penalty.
Police said Wallace showed no remorse in his intoxicated state and his relaxed approach to storage requirements created an opportunity for an undesirable to steal his firearms and ammunition.
According to police facts about 9.20 pm Saturday December 3 police attended Campbell St, Koorawatha in relation to Wallace’s expired firearms licence.
Police said they advised Wallace his licence had expired and his firearms and ammunition would be seized.
Wallace said he recently checked his licence and did not receive any paperwork from the firearms registry. According to police they followed Wallace and his wife into the garage area where they observed one of the two garage roller doors open and visible from the roadway.
Police said they saw the gun storage safe in the corner of the garage and the ammunition safe which was unlocked. As Wallace was removing the rifles, police asked where the key was that he’d used to unlock the safe. According to police, Wallace said there was no key. Police said they observed there were no padlocks on the safe that could be opened by anyone.
Police said Wallace was advised that he would be charged with failing to comply with safe storage of firearms and ammunition.
At the time Wallace’s safe storage did not meet the correct specifications as approved by the commissioner.
Police seized the following: 508 rounds of .22 ammunition, 37 rounds of 12 gauge shells, 1 x Norinco JW15 .22 rifle, 1 x Sportco model 90 .22, 1 x firearms licence.
