A SWAN Hill man has avoided jail by a “hair’s breadth” after police discovered a cache of homemade firearms and prohibited weapons at his home.
Swan Hill Magistrates’ Court heard that Ronald Ellis, 66, a “fanatic firearms enthusiast”, has been a “shooting and firearms man” since the age of six.
Mr Ellis pleaded guilty to the 13 charges, which included possession of a prohibited weapon, possessing cartridge ammunition without a licence and possessing equipment to manufacture a firearm.
In sentencing, Magistrate Megan Aumair told Mr Ellis “he must not go near firearms”.
“You are likely to go to prison if you breach the CCO of prohibition order,” Magistrate Aumair said.
“These are exceptionally serious crimes, you are a hair’s breadth from a term of incarceration.”
The court heard Mr Ellis was compliant with police but minimised his offending while describing it as his “sneaky little hobby”.
When police asked why Mr Ellis was making firearms, he said it was “because I’m an enthusiast, I can’t help myself”.
He said that “a light goes off” whenever he sees anything firearm-related.
Mr Ellis has never held a firearms licence and is subject to a 10-year Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) until 2031 for similar offences.
A FPO prohibits a person from acquiring, possessing, using or carrying firearms or related items.
After receiving information that Mr Ellis was in possession of a firearm, police attended his Swan Hill address on February 25, 2023 to conduct an FPO compliance check.
Mr Ellis made no disclosures when asked by police if there was any firearms or related items on the property.
While conducting a search of Mr Ellis’ bedroom, police found multiple prohibited weapons, including home-made push knives, a slingshot and a bayonet, which Mr Ellis said he had “as an ornament”.
The court heard that police also found books containing weapon sketches and measurements, as well as a homemade handgun with an additional barrel and six rounds of ammunition in the bedroom.
After the search moved to the accused’s shed, police found more evidence of firearm manufacture, as well as a ziplock bag of methylamphetamine and cannabis seeds.
Two imitation firearms, more than 60 rounds of mixed ammunition and a variety of firearm parts were found in the shed, as well as tools and materials used in the making of handgun handles.
When interviewed by police, Mr Ellis displayed an understanding of the FPO, but said the replica pistol and gun-barrels were not new.
His lawyer said the items had been made before the FPO, and that Mr Elis had picked up the hobby during the COVID-19 lockdowns due to loneliness.
Mr Ellis denied the illegal substances were his but said he was aware they were there and would take the onus for it.
The prohibited items will be forfeited to police and destroyed.
The accused was sentenced to a 15-month Community Corrections Order with conviction.
