If the police find you in possession of an illegal firearm or weapon you may find yourself facing serious criminal charges.
Firearms
Offences involving firearms are covered under the Firearms Act 1996. There are offences for illegally possessing a firearm and also offences for improper handling and storage of a firearm even if you are licensed and registered to hold it.
There are some exceptions relating to the possession of antique firearms.
Even if a weapon is not a firearm or a prohibited weapon the possession of it may still be illegal under Section 11B of the Summary Offences Act 1988. This law makes it an offence to be in possession of anything ‘made or adapted to cause injury to someone’ or anything the person possessing it ‘intends to use it to injure or menace a person or damage property’.
If you have been arrested or charged for any firearms or weapons offences, or armed with intent, you should contact us for expert advice immediately. At Astor Legal we are former prosecutors and we have prosecuted countless firearms or weapons offences. We know the law, the cases, and the defences to firearms or weapons offences. Your first consultation is free and we offer fixed fees for most of our services.
Our client was a 28 year old male charged with 5 offences related to possessing, handling, carrying and storing a firearm improperly.
Our client had consumed the drug ice at home and began experiencing hallucinations and paranoia. Later that day our client loaded the firearm which he then took into his local police station. Though pointed at the ground, our clients loaded gun posed a serious risk to the police and the members of the public who were in the police station.
Ultimately, our client was lucky to avoid any serious injury from police when he walked into a police station with a loaded gun. Our client was luckier when our lawyer was able to negotiate the withdrawal of several charges with police.
Our lawyer ensured the client was thoroughly prepared for sentencing with subjective materials and pre-emptive and regular drug testing. Through submissions the court was persuaded that full time imprisonment was not the only available option, and that the matter could appropriately be dealt with by way of an Intensive Corrections Order for 12 months instead.
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