Shotgun cane one of many weapons seized in police raid

A former New Town gun dealer and collector who consulted authorities on the gun buyback scheme following the Port Arthur massacre has pleaded guilty to firearm offences.

Guns at the Police Station. Picture: Linda Higginson

A FORMER New Town gun dealer and collector who consulted authorities on the gun buyback scheme following the Port Arthur massacre has pleaded guilty to more firearm offences.

Stuart Norton Woods was sentenced in Hobart Magistrates Court on Friday and asked the presiding magistrate not to allow police destroy one of the seized weapons.

The weapon of interest was a shotgun walking stick with carved ivory handle.

Stuart Woods leaves Hobart Magistrate Courts. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Guns at the Police Station. Picture: Linda Higginson

Woods’ defence asked that the historic weapon not be destroyed but be donated to a museum.

Police charged the 74-year-old after a search of his residence in Southern Tasmanian on March 15.

The charges included three counts of possessing a firearm in contravention of firearms prohibition order, five counts of possessing ammunition when not the holder of the appropriate firearm licence, two counts of possessing a firearm part and possessing an unregistered firearm and one count of possessing a detachable magazine.

Police seized numerous firearms, including the walking stick shotgun, and cash in the raid.

In sentencing police were ordered to return the cash but the weapons were forfeited.

Woods was sentenced to four months prison, fully suspended for three years.

It’s not the first time Woods has been before the court.

In December 2021 Woods was fined $12,500 for firearm offences in July 2020.

Antique walking frame .410 shotgun with an ivory handle. Picture: Linda Higginson