Ron Sterry beats four guns charges at Alice Springs Local Court

An Alice Springs man who rendered first aid to his neighbour who had been stabbed has beaten several gun charges he faced in the aftermath.

AN Alice Springs man who rendered first aid to his neighbour who had been stabbed has beaten several gun charges he faced in the aftermath.

Last April, police charged 28-year-old Ron Sterry with five weapons offences after officers arrived at the scene of the stabbing and found he was in possession of a number of guns.

The case outraged shooters across the country, who through the National Shooting Council (NSC) raised more than $10,000 to fight his legal battle.

Earlier this month a judge found Mr Sterry’s actions were not disproportionate or unreasonable, with the outcome being celebrated by shooters as a victory against “over the top” gun laws in the Territory.

Ron Sterry, still in his court clothes, holding his Eddystone rifle. Picture: Supplied.

In the dead of night on April 6, Mr Sterry had heard a commotion and grabbed his loaded 1917 Eddystone rifle and a bayonet for protection and went to help his wounded neighbour while another called emergency services. The weapons were not used that night.

Over the course of 10 months, the five charges laid against Mr Sterry were whittled down to just one, with the other four being dismissed.

On February 11, Mr Sterry was sentenced for carrying the bayonet in public.

He was put on a six-month good behaviour bond and charged a levy of $150. No conviction was recorded and the judge issued an order to guarantee Mr Sterry could get his guns back, despite an automatic ban in place under the NT’s gun laws.

NSC spokesman Peter Zabrdac said the NT’s gun laws were out of step with other jurisdictions and called on the government to remove the automatic disqualification under mitigating circumstances.

“If anything, this case shows just how urgently NT firearm laws need attention,” Mr Zabrdac said. “To have an automatic disqualification is simply over the top and on this occasion the court agreed.

“We’re hoping that this win will set the benchmark for law makers in other states and territories about what is and is not reasonable.”

Mr Zabrdac said he’d written to Independent MLA Kezia Purick to ask for her help to have the NT’s gun laws amended.

“Anyone who goes out armed in public is taking a real risk and we discourage that,” he said. “However, Ron had a reason and the judiciary agreed with him. This is a great outcome.”