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With a cramped time frame, she did in 3 days what another firm dilly-dallied for 7 months. Lisa kept me informed. Helena made me feel comfortable in a sticky situation.

- Client

I will definitely be using your company in the future if needed. Lisa kept me at ease also there were no grey areas with great advice. Helana is a great front of house.

- Client

My legal matter concerning an application for a Domestic Violence Order was managed by Mr Thomas Allen. I am grateful for the outcome he obtained. Without Mr Allen and his ongoing support, I would be certain of a different result. It has been an extremely stressful period. Mr Allen’s astute ability to liaise on my behalf and his expertise was invaluable and for which I am grateful as I am now able to move forward. Thanking you

- Client

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Armstrong Legal and specifically Mr Thomas Allen for representing me in my recent case. At the outset, I would like to thank Mr Allen for the very professional delivery of his legal service. From the first time that I met Mr Allen, I was very impressed with his demeanour and delivery as he made me feel at ease knowing the severity of my case. Mr Allen not only gave me the possible positive outcomes of the case but also the realisation of the worst-case scenario as far as sentencing goes. … I will certainly be recommending Armstrong Legal to any of my friends or family needing representation in criminal matters. Thank you so very much.

- Client

Thank you for your representation and help. Fingers crossed for the next step and parole. I just want to say that from the first phone call to your office, your service has been outstanding and have put my mind at ease. I am glad I picked your number to ring.

- Client

Thank you Armstrong Legal, the lawyers that have helped over the past 3 years but more importantly, thank you to Thomas Allen for the major part you and Mr Buckland played. Cannot thank you enough. Cheers.

- Client

Hi all. I would like to thank Ms Lisa Riley for all her help with my legal issues this past month. It was the most harrowing experience of my life and thanks to her expertise, professionalism and knowledge of the law, I came out almost unscathed. I have no hesitation in recommending Lisa Riley and Armstrong Legal if you need help. The service is amazing and the cost was very minimal for the great outcome. Thank you Lisa for helping me in the most difficult time.

- Client

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. My whole life I was thrown away, you made me feel like I did mean something. I could not have asked for a better lawyer. Your compassion and love for your job is inspiring. Your upfront and honesty were muchly appreciated, you are a beautiful person. Thank you for not giving up on me and thank you for all the work you put in. I wish you all the best for the future and I will be recommending you to everyone I know. You're amazing!!!!

- Client

I just wanted to thank you for representing me on Monday, I was overjoyed & relieved with the outcome. I don’t think it could have gone any better. All the best, I hope you got to celebrate this one instead after work, you forever made a difference in my life.

I know I thanked you before we parted company but please allow me to reiterate in writing my sincere deepest thanks for defending me in court today. … Armstrong Legal certainly has a great Lawyer you are a credit to the company and I'm quite sure you will secure a very successful future! … My Kindest Regards and Thanks

- Client

Throughout Angela has been the consummate professional. She maintained a calm, yet strong demeanour remained informative and completely open in her communication and took complete ownership of the situation. We felt confident we finally had an advocate to steer us out of the nightmare we were in, and she did so with great respect and sincerity. I cannot speak more highly of Angela. She has literally rescued our family from what looked very much like a hopeless future.

- Client

Words can’t describe how grateful I am to Trudie Cameron being my solicitor and to Andrew Tiedt presenting my case in the court. They both have been very supportive and amazingly professional and effective. I’ve got an absolutely fantastic outcome I couldn’t even dream about.

- Client

Soon after meeting Andrew I knew he was the solicitor I wanted to handle my matter. He immediately sprang into action which brought me stability and hope during a tumultuous time in my life. Andrew was never afraid to give me straight answers to my tough questions which is a true mark of integrity. He is clearly at ease in the court environment and I believe his calm and measured demeanour went a long way to helping me secure the best result from my day in court. I would certainly recommend you approach Andrew if you need assistance.

- Client

"Andrew Tiedt was very professional and considerate to personal circumstances and gave sound advice that resulted in the best outcome possible. Highly recommended."

This article was written by Michelle Makela - Legal Practice Director

Michelle has over 15 years experience in the legal industry, working across commercial litigation, criminal law, family law and estate planning. Michelle has been involved in all practice areas of the firm and in her personal practice has had experience in litigation at all levels (state and federal industrial tribunals, the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, Federal...

Firearm Offences

Matters involving firearms are treated seriously by the courts in the ACT, with heavy penalties provided for even simple possession matters. Many people are unaware that merely possessing a part of a firearm, such as a barrel or grip, or a replica firearm that they believe to be a toy, can attract a prison sentence.

There are more than 60 separate offences spelt out in the Firearms Act 1996, from trafficking, manufacturing or discharging firearms in a public place to simply possessing a replica or imitation (perhaps still kept in its display case and never taken out of the home).

What is a Firearm?

The Act defines a firearm as “a gun, or other weapon, that is, or at any time was, capable of propelling a projectile by means of an explosive force”. The definition includes a firearm frame or firearm receiver that does not form part of a firearm and the definition includes also a “modified item”, which means something that would be a firearm if it did not have something missing from it, or a defect or obstruction; or something had not been added to it.

As well as that definition, the Act also defines, in a 24-item schedule, what constitutes a prohibited firearm. Many items incapable of propelling a projectile and acquired only for souvenir or curiosity value are captured by the legislation.

Possessing Firearms

The definition of firearms, prohibited firearms and unregulated firearms in the Act (which came into force in the ACT in 1996, the year of the Port Arthur massacre) is extensive. The Act lists 24 particular items as prohibited firearms, including various replicas and even imitation paintball markers and speargun attachments.

The maximum penalty for possessing one or two prohibited firearms is 10 years’ imprisonment, rising to 14 years for three but fewer than 10 firearms, and to 20 years for 10 or more firearms.

The maximum penalty for unauthorised possession of other firearms is five years’ imprisonment, rising to seven for three or more but fewer than 10 firearms, and to 20 years for 10 or more firearms.

The seriousness of matters of possessing firearms varies greatly, from the possession in public of many weapons capable of causing death to the possession of a boxed replica that never left one’s home.

Other Firearms Offences

Disposing of or acquiring a firearm without the appropriate licence or authorisation carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, rising to 10 years for a prohibited firearm.

A person who inherits a firearm and does not hold or obtain the relevant licence, or otherwise surrender it to police or dispose of it to a licensed dealer, faces a maximum penalty of 50 penalty units.

If someone is found to have sold or acquired firearms on three separate occasions inside a 12-month period, he or she can be liable to prosecution for trafficking firearms, the maximum penalty is 20 years’ imprisonment.

Discharging a firearm in a public place carries a maximum penalty of 100 penalty units and/or one year’s imprisonment. That penalty reduces to 50 penalty units and/or six months’ imprisonment if the firearm is discharged over other land.

Manufacturing, or taking part in the manufacture of, a prohibited firearm carries a maximum penalty of 1500 penalty units and/or 20 years’ imprisonment, reducing to 1000 penalty units and/or 10 years for an ordinary firearm.

Firearms Licences

It is an offence to act contrary to a licence and the maximum penalty for doing so in relation to a prohibited firearm is 1000 penalty units and/or 10 years’ imprisonment and 500 penalty units and/or five years’ imprisonment in the case of other firearms.

There are many classes of licences, including adult, minor and composite (corporation or government entity) and it is an offence (10 penalty units) to fail to report when a licence is lost, stolen or destroyed.

It is a more serious offence not to surrender firearms when a licence is cancelled or suspended or to fail to hand in a licence when it has been cancelled or suspended. The maximum penalty in each case is a fine of 50 penalty units and/or six months’ imprisonment.

The Act specifies that personal protection of one’s self or of another person, or of property, is not a genuine reason to be granted a firearms licence.

Prohibited Weapons

The Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 makes the possession of a range of knifes and other implements punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to 500 penalty units.

The Act includes schedules of prohibited items, including 9 bladed weapons, 10 hand weapons, five missile weapons and 19 other weapons or articles.

If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Armstrong Legal.

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