Geraldton dad Daniel John Prunster has gun licence revoked by police despite magistrate’s rejection

A dad photographed pointing a rifle at his baby daughter has had his gun licence taken from him after police stepped in to overrule a local magistrate. But Daniel John Prunster is refusing to give up his firearms without a fight, saying he is planning to appeal appeal the decision with the State Administrative Tribunal. The 25-year-old was fined $1500 in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on April 19 after pleading guilty to charges including failing to adequately store firearms and ammunition, pointing a firearm at another person, and possessing cannabis. Magistrate Chris Miocevich rejected the police’s application to cancel the Geraldton man’s firearms licence, saying while his actions were “stupid” the act itself was not threatening. But a WA Police spokesperson told The Geraldton Guardian that after an investigation by Firearms Licensing Services, the decision was made to revoke Prunster’s firearms licence. Police would not disclose on what basis the decision was made. They said Prunster had been advised in writing of the decision and the firearms — revealed in court to be a .22-calibre rifle, .223-calibre rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun — were being held by police pending their disposal. Prunster said he would challenge the decision, restating the magistrate’s conclusion that nothing could have gone wrong when the picture was taken of him pointing the rifle. “It was a private photo, the tribunal is (the) next step,” he said. Police prosecutor Sergeant Troy Gildersleeve had told the court Prunster’s reckless stance towards firearms security was a “disaster just waiting to happen”. He said a search of Prunster’s partner’s car and their Woorree home uncovered 104 shotgun and rifle rounds with two magazines of live ammunition, all unsecured, and a personal amount of cannabis. The key to the gun safe had been left in the vehicle. A mobile phone was also seized on which a photo was found showing Prunster pointing a shotgun at his young daughter, 15 months old at the time, as she held a rifle. Sgt Gildersleeve said the photograph tendered in court clearly displayed irresponsible behaviour and that neglecting to secure the firearms and ammunition could have resulted in a fatal accident. Though not part of his criminal charges, Prunster also posted a photograph on his Facebook page, pictured above, showing his newborn son with an ammunition belt draped across him in his crib, with the caption: “My nugget trying to be a Russian.”