Loaded firearm was a memento, court hears

A loaded firearm found in a family home in Oban was a dad-of-three’s sentimental memento, a court was told.

Police were carrying out a welfare check at a property at 9 Argyll Street on June 5 last year when they discovered two gun carriers propped up against a wall at the foot of a bed.

The carriers contained air weapons and one was loaded, Oban Sheriff Court heard last week.

Jonathan McLaughlin, 33, admitted having two weapons in his possession without having the relevant certificates.

The court heard how police were at his home after concerns had been raised by education and social workers. They were let into the property by McLaughlin’s elderly father, who also lived there.

McLaughlin, who returned a short time later, told police he was given the air weapons by a friend in Wales who was dying. The man, who had been like a second father to him, had invited him to choose something from his gun collection as a keepsake.

McLaughlin told police he believed them to be replicas and did not have any firearms certificates.

Police seized the weapons and had them examined, both were air rifles and needed certificates to be in lawful possession. One of the rifles was loaded. McLaughlin was cautioned and charged later that day.

Kevin McGinness, defending, said there was ‘nothing sinister’ about the guns gifted to his client in 2014. ‘They are of very significant, sentimental value to him,’ he said.

The prosecution asked for the air weapons to be forfeited but Sheriff Patrick Hughes gave four weeks to see if the weapons could be deactivated. Sentencing was deferred for good behaviour for six months.