Samuel Mariani: Music producer convicted of owning imitation firearm

A children’s toy gun “gathering dust” has landed a music producer and videographer in hot water at court. Find out why his career and travel opportunities are now in jeopardy.

Samuel Mariani has put his career as a music producer at risk after he purchased a toy gel blaster. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A music producer has put his career at risk after he was convicted of having an imitation firearm in his home.

Samuel Mariani, 28, was sentenced at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to possessing an unauthorised pistol.

Facts tendered to court state police had executed a search warrant at Mariani’s Wolli Creek home, which he shares with a roommate, for unrelated matters.

On August 19 police went to the house where Mariani told them “I have a gel blaster in my room,” adding it was on his wardrobe floor. Police found the gel blaster and gel ammunition where Mariani described.

He made full admissions to having purchased and owning the gel blaster.

Samuel Mariani pleaded guilty and was sentenced for possessing an unauthorised pistol. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

In court, Mariani’s lawyer Bianca Barnes said her client had been working in customer service and sales before he got his “big break” working in the music industry as a producer, editor and videographer for Australian musicians.

She said he had been surrounded by music his whole life, with his father being a musician, and had been working towards his career for a long time.

Ms Barnes said he worked for the likes of Universal Studios however was currently not employed because of health problems which prevented him from flying.

She said he was scheduled to have surgery this month which would hopefully allow him to return to work.

The court heard Mariani was concerned a criminal conviction would impact his travel arrangements in the future, which was required for his industry.

His lawyer also added Mariani’s contract with Universal Studios and independent artists would likely involve a police check and a conviction would limit his employment opportunities.

Ms Barnes said if it had not been for Mariani’s own admission, the police may not have found the gel blaster because he was not the subject of the search warrant.

She said he had purchased the gel blaster online from Queensland, believing it was a toy but had not used it so it was “gathering dust”.

The court heard Mariani, at the time, was not aware it was an unauthorised pistol.

Ms Barnes said Mariani later became aware it was illegal but did not know how to dispose of it safely.

She said the gel blaster was mainly made out of plastic and was described on the website as “excellent for kids”, adding the firing speed was significantly less than a real gun.

The court heard Mariani had no criminal record, was remorseful and was assessed as a low risk of reoffending.

Magistrate Phillip Stewart refused to not convict Mariani noting gel blasters were still classified as firearms.

He said they were not a children’s toy and the harsh penalties for the offence were an attempt to get all weapons, including imitation ones, out of the community.

Mr Stewart accepted Mariani had no criminal intention to use the gel blaster but said it was appropriate to record a conviction and placed him on a two-year community corrections order.

Mariani also has to complete 100 hours of community service.