Hore convicted of supplying firearm
Former All Black Andrew Hore has been convicted of supplying a firearm to an unlicensed person.
Hore, 37, of Patearoa, Central Otago, appeared in the Alexandra District Court on Thursday after earlier admitting supplying a firearm, an ATA shotgun, to an unlicensed person on May 2 at Ranfurly.
Judge Dominic Flatley declined an application for discharge without conviction and accused Hore of having a ‘‘cavalier attitude’’ towards the relevant requirements of firearm management. He fined him $400. The police summary of facts outlined how Hore had supplied a firearm to a man whose licence had been revoked in 2012. The pair had been duck shooting and Hore had not made any inquiries into whether the man had a licence.
‘‘You carried on duck shooting that day. Some others were present, some alcohol [was] consumed.’’
The consequences of a conviction did not outweigh the gravity of the offending, he said. ‘‘The potential for serious injury or worse, death of poorly managed firearms is high.’’
Given Hore’s experience and knowledge of the potential consequences being charged and convicted, he should have taken every precaution to make every check, particularly given his travel, business, sporting and family interests, the judge said.
Hore’s lawyer, David Robinson, said a conviction would likely result in exclusion of entry into the UK and Japan. Hore was planning to travel for business opportunities around the World Cup. His wife is British and his children hold dual citizenship.
Flatley said while Hore would have to disclose his conviction, there was discretion to allow someone with a conviction entry. ‘‘You are a rural man, a duck shooting man and a gun-using man and have previously been involved in offending of a similar type. You more than most should have acted responsibly.
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