Ross Craig pleads guilty to unlawful possession of category D weapon

A former Army electrician and rural firefighter has fronted court on weapons charges after being found with a semiautomatic firearm.

A retired military man caught with an unregistered semiautomatic firearm and ammunition told police he had held the weapon out of safety concerns.

The man, Ross Craig, explained that it would be impossible to fire the gun as he intentionally left the bolt mechanism at a property to prevent it from being used.

Ipswich Magistrates Court this week heard he was also a military historian who took part in live displays by veterans for the public.

Ross Craig, 57, from Flagstone, pleaded guilty to a series of firearm offences that included unlawful possession of category D weapon; possession of detachable magazines; being in possession of a restricted item; and not having authority to possess explosives.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Green said police received a call from a person at Maroon on February 28 indicating Craig may have a firearm in his possession.

Checks revealed that his firearm licence had expired in 1998.

Snr Const. Green said Craig was located at Boonah and when police searched his vehicle officers found a .223 semiautomatic weapon in a bag on the back seat. It was a bolt-action firearm and did not have the bolt attached.

Ross Craig leaves court after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a semiautomatic weapon and ammunition.

Also inside his vehicle were two detachable magazines, two sets of metal handcuffs with keys, and ammunition in a bag.

The handcuffs were classified as being restricted items.

Snr Const. Green said Craig told officers he was a military historian and had items that were of military significance.

The bolt from the semiautomatic had been removed before he left the location, with Craig stating he removed it as a safety precaution.

The court heard he had no criminal history.

Defence lawyer David Neuendorf said Craig was a carer for his wife and had been in the Army for more than 15 years, serving as an electronics technician. He was now on a disability pension.

He did a lot of volunteer work, was involved with the rural fire service, and took part in live shows by veterans for the public to view.

Mr Neuendorf said Craig instructed that there had been an argument at a property and he left in order to diffuse the situation.

Magistrate David Shepherd said he took into account the fact that Craig had taken the weapon with him out of concern for safety and removed the bolt.

Mr Shepherd accepted that Craig’s knowledge contributed that day to community wellbeing and safety.

He found there were significant mitigating circumstances. Craig was fined $750 with no conviction recorded.