Published: Wednesday, 13th August, 2008 15:30
MAN BREACHED GUN LAWS
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A man admitted to breaking stringent firearms regulations - after he accepted two shotguns as gifts from an uncle.
The man, who neglected to follow tight procedures governing ownership of weapons, has been fined in court after pleading guilty.
Christopher Hamilton, 30, of Glenfinlet Crescent, Neilston an offshore logistics adviser to the oil industry, took possession of the two weapons and obtained a Firearms Certificate. But he failed to send a recorded delivery declaration to the Chief Constable to notify the authorities he had them in his possession.
The offence was committed between January and March this year.
Depute fiscal Margaret Dunnipace told Paisley Sheriff Court that he was required to notify the Chief Constable by Recorded Delivery or Registered Post as soon as he acquired any shotguns. This was in terms of the regulations controlling the ownership of such firearms and so
he failed to comply, contrary to the Firearms Act.
Defence agent Tony Callaghan told the court that Hamilton had been technically in breach of the regulations as he had
not sent a letter through one of the
special delivery channels but had simply written a letter to the Chief Constable in Pitt Street.
That communication had never reached its intended destination, leading to the prosecution.
He received the shotguns as gifts from a relative and phoned Strathclyde Police headquarters to inform them and seek advice. Callaghan said: “He was told to intimate the details in writing and did so but concedes he did not send the letter either by recorded or registered delivery.”
When told that Hamilton no longer had ownership of the shotguns and had surrendered the Firearms Certificate obtained, Sheriff Robert Vaughan said that in all of the circumstances outlined, he would impose a £200 fine, reduced from £300 due to the accused’s early guilty plea, to be paid in 28 days.
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Further Details
Tribute to mum aged 32