Geelong man Filippo Stefano avoids conviction for firearm charges

A Geelong man who kept guns hidden at his caravan business in Moolap has avoided a conviction.

Geelong man Filippo Stefano was found with three firearms. Picture: Facebook.

A Geelong man was found to have stashed three guns and ammunition at his Moolap-based caravan business.

Police executed a search at Bellarine Bargains Caravan Sales and Storage along the Bellarine Hwy in April this year and were met by co-operative Filippo Stefano, 57, who showed officers where he was keeping the firearms.

Stefano pleaded guilty to possessing the firearms without a license in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday and avoided a conviction.

Stefano showed police an air rifle, a shotgun, an imitation handgun, six unsecured shotgun cartridges and 39 air rifle pellets.

His defence lawyer said Stefano’s family has owned farms across Geelong and he “grew up in a house filled with guns”.

She said Stefano was given the air rifle in 1974 and the shotgun in 1981, but said both were secured at his father’s house until recently.

Geelong man Filippo Stefano said the firearms were “family heirlooms”. Picture: Facebook.

She explained Stefano’s father was diagnosed with dementia and his mother wanted Stefano to take the guns out of the home.

Stefano said he kept them at his workplace to avoid the guns being at his home, where he lives with some of his stepchildren.

“They are family heirlooms,” his lawyer said.

“He’s not involved in any criminal enterprises.”

She also added Stefano’s adult son has since secured a firearm license and was hoping to receive the guns if they were not forfeited.

Prosecutor Kerrie-Anne Maloney said it was a “matter for the informant whether those particular firearms are returned”.

Magistrate Nunzio La Rosa fined Stefano without conviction.

Originally published as Geelong man Filippo Stefano avoids conviction for firearm charges