Teacher followed checklist, court told

A FORMER TasTAFE gun safety teacher who is facing several firearms charges has been described by a colleague as meticulous in his preparation and running of his course.

Graeme Arthur Norris, 77, of Howrah, has pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of possessing an unsafe firearm, two counts of failing to comply with ammunition storage requirements, one count of possessing a silencer, and one count of failing to store type 3 fireworks in an approved magazine.

It is alleged Mr Norris was in charge of a firearms safety course at Pontville on April 12, 2016, when a shotgun was accidentally discharged by a student and the student was injured.

The charges before the court arose from an investigation following the incident.

TasTAFE teacher David Eyles told the Hobart Magistrates Court yesterday he became involved in teaching the firearms safety course with Mr Norris in 2013.

He said Mr Norris was “meticulous” in following a checklist Mr Norris had prepared that set out what needed to be done during the preparation and running of the course.

Mr Eyles also said no mechanical faults were discovered with the guns used during his time teaching the course.

“When I first started, Graeme said if anything is faulty, just don’t use it,” he said.

He said some students were scared of the guns, and that he would stand near the student firing the gun so he could take control of the weapon if the student was frightened by the gun and looked as though they would drop it.

Mr Eyles said in those cases, he would take control of the gun to stop it being dropped and potentially discharging.

The hearing will resume later this year.