Orange police seize firearms, Christopher Whiteley faces court

Christopher Brian Whiteley, 38, of Ellenbrae Street, said the guns belonged to his father who could no longer have them.

Whiteley had a category AB licence and said he intended to, but had not got around to, handing the firearms in or getting them registered.

According to police, an appointment to inspect the safe storage was set up for Saturday May, 8, but the household had forgotten about the appointment when police arrived at 5.15pm.

Police were led to the secured gun safe but during the inspection they discovered a large amount of ammunition was stored with the guns and three of the couple's registered guns were missing.

After Whiteley's partner left the garage and returned with a firearm, the couple's children told police there was a second gun safe. The second safe contained eight firearms with only one matching those that were listed to the address.

The safe was not secured and checks of serial numbers on the other firearms showed they were not registered. Whiteley told the police he had made inquiries about getting them registered but had not done so yet.

The unregistered firearms included: three rifles; a Marlin North Haven Firearm model 1894 .357 Magnum, without a serial number; and a Springfield rifle model 56 .22 calibre, without a serial number.

There were also two unregistered prohibited firearms including a Ruger .223 calibre mini 14 semi-automatic rifle, which was a category D firearm; and a Ruger model 10/22 calibre .22LR category C firearm.

When police entered the firearms into their system they realised a number of bolts were missing.

Both Whiteley and his partner's firearms licences were suspended and all firearms and their licences were seized.

Magistrate David Day said he could not see how Whiteley could avoid a conviction.

"He was aware of his obligations because he was intending to do something about the weapons from his father's property," Mr Day said.

"There's a need for general deterrence when it comes to firearms."

He convicted Whiteley and gave him a 12-month Community Release Order for not having approved storage. Mr Day also gave him the same sentence for possession of seven unregistered firearms.

Mr Day also gave him a 12-month Community Correction Order and fined him $220 for possession of seven firearms without a licence or permit.

He also fined Whiteley $550 and gave him a 12-month CCO for possession of the unregistered category C and D firearms.

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