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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 Fernanda Dahlstrom - Content Editor - Brisbane

Fernanda Dahlstrom has a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. She has also completed a Master’s in Writing and Literature. Fernanda practised law for eight years, working in criminal defence, child protection and domestic violence law in the Northern Territory and in family law in Queensland.

Firearms Offences

The use of firearms in Western Australia is legislated under the Firearms Act 1973 (‘the Act’) and the Firearms Regulations 1974. The Act creates a range of offences involving the improper use, possession and storage of firearms. Failure to comply with the Act may result in a person having their firearms seized and being charged with firearms offences. A person’s firearms licence may also be revoked if they are charged with firearms offences.

Licensing Offences

It is a crime for an unlicensed person to possess, purchase, sell or carry firearms. Where three or more weapons are sold without a licence, a finding of guilt can result in imprisonment for a maximum of 14 years (The Act, Section 19).

However, where a person has held a firearms licence that has expired but can still be renewed, and the person possesses, purchases, sells or carries firearms, this is an offence that is punishable by a fine of up to $2000 only.

Storage Of Firearms Offences

A person who is licensed to possess firearms must ensure that all firearms are stored as set out in Schedule 4 of the Firearms Regulations. Schedule 4 states that firearms must be stored in a steel cabinet at least 2mm thick, which is locked and anchored from the inside to two or more immovable surfaces.

Section 23(9) of the Act makes it an offence for a person responsible for a firearm not to provide and use adequate storage facilities or to comply with security requirements for the storage of a firearm. The maximum penalty for a first offence is a fine of $2,000 and for a second or subsequent offence, a fine of $4,000 or imprisonment for 12 months.

General Firearms Offences

Section 23 of the Act contains a range of general firearms offences. These firearms offences attract fines and terms of imprisonment and may also result in the seizure of firearms and the revocation of a person’s Firearms License.

These offences include:

Permitting a person who is drug or alcohol-affected or a person of unsound mind to take possession of a firearm (Maximum penalty $6,000 fine or 18 months imprisonment;
Physically possessing a firearm while affected by drugs or alcohol If the firearm is loaded then the maximum penalties are imprisonment for a period of 2 years or a fine of $8 000, in any other case the maximum penalties are imprisonment for 18 months or a fine of $6,000.00.
Defacing or altering an identification mark on a firearm where the firearm was a handgun, or was modified in a prescribed manner (Maximum penalty imprisonment for seven years otherwise in any other case imprisonment for period of up to 4 years or a fine of $16 000
Possessing a firearm whose identification mark has been defaced or altered (Maximum penalty imprisonment for seven years);
Altering a firearm or possessing an altered firearm;
Use or possession of a silencer; (Maximum penalty imprisonment for seven years);
Pointing a firearm at a person (Maximum penalty imprisonment for three years or a fine of $12,000);
Failure to take reasonable precautions to ensure a firearm’s safekeeping (Maximum penalty $2000 fine for a first offence, and $4,000 fine or imprisonment for 12 months for a second or subsequent offence);
Allowing a child to have unlawful possession of a firearm (Maximum penalty $2000 fine for a first offence, and $4,000 fine or imprisonment for 12 months for a second or subsequent offence);
Discharging a firearm onto, from or across a road (Maximum penalty $2000 fine for a first offence, and $4,000 fine or imprisonment for 12 months for a second or subsequent offence);
Failing to have and use adequate storage arrangements for a firearm;
Refusing to permit police to inspect the storage facilities provided for a firearm.
Discharging a firearm in a way that endangers the public (Maximum penalty imprisonment for 3 years or $12,000 fine)
Use of a firearm on another person’s property without their consent (Maximum penalty $2000 fine).

Firearms Infringements

General firearms offences can be dealt with by way of a Firearms Infringement. This means that the police issue the accused with an on-the-spot fine. If the accused pays the fine on time, they do not need to attend court and do not get a criminal record. The fine imposed with a Firearms Infringement is $421. It is at the police’s discretion to decide whether to issue a person with a Firearms Infringement or charge them with offences, which may require them to attend court.

If you receive a Firearms Infringement and want to contest the offence, you can write to Licensing Services and elect to have the matter dealt with by a court.

If you need legal advice about a firearms matter or any other legal matter, please contact Armstrong Legal.

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