Jesse James Babarovich, 25, from Shepparton, successfully applied for bail in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court.
He is charged with possessing two or more firearms, five counts of being a prohibited person possessing a firearm, five counts of being an unlicensed person possessing a firearm and not storing it securely, possessing a firearm without a serial number and possessing a silencer.
He is also charged with possessing an imitation firearm while a prohibited person, retention of stolen goods, two counts of possessing ammunition, two counts of possessing a controlled weapon, possessing steroids, committing an indictable offence while on bail and failing to comply with a police direction to give access to a data device.
Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Jamie England told the court police went to Mr Babarovich’s Shepparton home to do a Firearm Prohibition Order Compliance check on another man who lived there on August 2.
He said when police searched a car they say belongs to Mr Babarovich, they found a Winchester .44 rifle, a Browning shotgun, a Howa .223 rifle, two air rifles, a silencer and a large amount of ammunition of various calibres.
The court heard the Browning shotgun had been stolen from a property at Naring, while the serial number on the Howa .223 rifle had been ground off.
Police also allegedly seized a crossbow, laser pointer and steroids from the car, and three bullets from an unlocked safe in a common area of the house.
Det Sen Constable England said police believed Mr Babarovich was involved in the trafficking of guns to either use the money to buy drugs or swap them for drugs.
He also told the court Mr Babarovich was subject to a Firearms Prohibition Order that had started only two weeks earlier.
Mr Babarovich’s solicitor argued his client had a limited criminal history, had family support and could be bailed to live with his mother.
Magistrate Simon Zebrowski bailed Mr Babarovich with conditions that he report to police three days a week, not associate with his co-accused, comply with Court Integrated Services Program conditions, not use drugs, and live with his mother.
When granting bail, Mr Zebrowski noted the charges were serious.
“My view is this state is not tough enough on people with guns,” he said.
“The way a lot of violent crime happens is that guns go missing, through burglaries or from collectors, and they are used.”
However, he also made a point of noting that his comments were made with a presumption of innocence still in this case.
However, he said that Mr Babarovich’s young age, lack of relevant priors, Aboriginality, the availability of CISP, the fact he had never been in custody before and the family support available were all points in his favour.
Mr Babarovich will return to court later in August.
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