"A Barrett M95... for around here? They've got an effective range of about 5 kilometres, they'd make a mess of an elephant," said Magistrate David Day, who was astounded after hearing some of the items allegedly seized from a man's home in Mudgee.
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David Walker, 35, was charged with 15 offences on June 8 after police raided his home in Bombira Estate, Mudgee.
Police allegedly seized a number of prohibited items, including firearms, cannabis and two green snakes.
The raid was part of an ongoing global crackdown on drug operations called 'Operation Ironside', that saw the Australian Federal Police make arrests across the country.
Mr Walker made no plea to the long list of 15 charges, which included acquisition of prohibited firearms, not keeping firearms safely, supplying a prohibited drug, dealing with property proceeds of crime and dealing in or attempting to deal in a protected animal.
However, his barrister Joe Kellaway told the court that the police were mistaken regarding their allegation that Mr Walker acquired a semiautomatic shotgun.
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"What was actually seized does not reflect what was in the court attendance notice."
Mr Kellaway said that Mr Walker had provided evidence to show some of the guns seized had been lawfully acquired.
He also said that some of the allegations regarding stolen firearms in Mr Walker's possession had been rebutted by another man.
Magistrate David Day acknowledged Mr Kelloway's argument regarding the semi-automatic shotgun, however noted that with respect to the other 14 charges, they were stronger cases and therefore Mr Walker posed a flight risk, as he might not come to court.
"Section 15 is a show cause offence... Mr Kelloway's submission is there's no suggestion as to their acquisition, and it's an acquisition offence," he said.
"The offences of firearm offences and even the less serious ones, are of themselves still serious as the world changed in 1996 when the firearms act was introduced."
Magistrate Day factored this into the bail conditions imposed on Mr Walker, namely that Mr Walker surrender his passport, does not approach within 200 metres of an airport or other point of international departure, and that he does not leave the Mid-Western or Dubbo regional council areas.
His mother, Mrs Colleen Walker agreed to forfeit $50,000 dollars if her son fails to appear before a court in accordance with his bail acknowledgement.
Mr Kelloway suggested it would be sufficient for Mr Walker to report to the Mudgee Police Station once a week, which Magistrate Day accepted as a condition of bail.
Magistrate Day imposed a curfew on Mr Walker from 9pm to 5am, which would allow him to leave his home early enough to continue working as a concreter.
"Mr Walker for a young man does have a lengthy criminal history, but it's driving matters. He has very strong community ties," Magistrate Day said.
"There's no history of violence, he does not appear to have breached bail if he ever has had any before."
"I'm persuaded that of the bail concerns none of them amount to considerable risk."
Mr Walker is set to appear in court again on July 6, 2021.
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