[Bruce in West Oz]

West Australian newspaper
2 April 2003
(This article NOT online at http://www.thewest.com.au )

Illegal gun collector fined
An avid gun collector has been fined $12 500 for illegally storing more
than 50 firearms in his home. Magistrate Libby Woods said while she
accepted John Christopher Mason Binns, 39, was a bona fide collector, she
feared the consequences if someone had broken into his Wembley flat.

She said in Perth Magistrate's Court yesterday the weapons, even ancient,
inoperable guns, could still have been used to commit robberies.

Police also found a cache of explosive devices, fuses and a bullet-proof
jacket when they raided his home in March 2002.

Binns, who had no gun licence, was fined between $100 and $300 for each offence after pleading guilty to the illegal possession of 51 firearms,
hand grenades, teargas and 45 000 rounds of ammunition.

She accepted he was a "bona fide collector"?? But he had no licence -- how could he be "bona fide"?? I can't believe the media didn't trumpet "terrorist" all over the place.

I gotta talk to that magistrate. :D

Bruce

[Jim March]

Do you have ANY idea how many US THRers have 50+ guns?

A: a LOT :D. Not me, but I guarantee you there's just scads of 'em.

[Intune]

"...the weapons, even ancient, inoperable guns, could still have been used to commit robberies."

In a related story- The Perth cricket team, ChugginFosters, was fined $100,000 after police conducted raids which netted over SIXTY bats! Police Inspector Brad Welcher stated: "I'm jolly well tickled that through thorough police work there is a chance that we have possibly prevented crimes which may have taken place and removed bagloads of potential robbery weapons from the streets. This team had no license, it's sickening."