Australian court considers whether seized weapons are antiques — ABC News Australia
Newcastle District Court in Australia is considering whether some of the weapons seized from 42-year-old Andrew David Renkmore can be classified as antiques rather than illegal. Renkmore has pleaded not guilty to 97 weapons-related charges, including possession of unauthorized pistols and ammunition and failure to comply with safe storage rules.
As ABC News Australia reports, Port Stephens police, assisted by federal environmental officers, searched Renkmore's home in Williamtown in 2024. The court previously heard that officers seized 63 firearms. The seized items included unregistered pistols and rifles, shotguns, ammunition and firearm parts.
The parties’ positions
Renkmore's lawyer, Dominic Green, described his client as an enthusiast rather than a criminal. According to him, a police expert described some of the items as antique revolvers, and revolvers made before 1900 are considered antiques.
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Director of Public Prosecutions representative Tanika Wakuara acknowledged that at least a dozen weapons may meet the definition of antique revolvers under Section 6A of the Firearms Act. She also said that at the relevant time, Renkmore held a Category G licence, which allowed him to possess such weapons but not necessarily use them.
Storage and case review
The prosecution, however, raised concerns about the storage conditions. According to the court, some of the seized items were found in a beehive and a desk drawer in a bedroom. The court also heard that when police arrived at the house, a weapon was allegedly found in Renkmore's pocket inside a sock.
The defence argues that storage requirements for enthusiasts are minimal and that Renkmore's percussion revolvers do not require registration. At the end of the hearing, Wakuara said the prosecution needed to thoroughly reassess the case after receiving additional advice on the classification of the weapons. Judge Bennett postponed a decision on the classification of the weapons until October 1. Renkmore is also charged with storing chemicals suitable for making gunpowder; he denies this charge.
