Court hears seized weapons in NSW Hunter Valley may be antique firearms

A court has heard a stash of dozens of guns seized by police in the NSW Hunter Valley are antiques rather than illegal firearms.

Andrew David Rankmore, 42, has pleaded not guilty to 97 weapons offences, including possessing unauthorised pistols and ammunition and not storing firearms safely.

In 2024, Port Stephens police officers were assisted by federal environmental officers when they raided his Williamtown home.

Newcastle Local Court previously heard 63 firearms were seized, including unregistered handguns, unregistered rifles, as well as shotguns, ammunition and firearm parts.

Mr Rankmore has argued the weapons fall under the classification of antiques.

In a pre-trial hearing in Newcastle District Court today, Mr Rankmore's solicitor, Dominic Green, described his client as an "enthusiast" and not a criminal.

"Some of the weapons were described by the police expert himself as antique revolvers, all considered antique if manufactured prior to 1900," he said.

Definitions and the Act

Solicitor and trial advocate Tanika Vakuara appeared on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ms Vakuara conceded that at least a dozen or more firearms could meet the definition in terms of the interpretation section 6A of the Firearms Act.

"And at the relevant time the accused did hold a Category G firearms licence that would allow him to posses them, but not necessarily to use them."

Storage concerns rejected

Ms Vakuara did, however, raise concerns about storage, with some weapons seized found in a beehive and bedroom table drawer.

The court heard a gun was also allegedly found inside a sock in Mr Rankmore's pocket when police arrived at his home.

Mr Green said there were few storage requirements for enthusiasts like his client, who regularly attended gun shows.

"The storage requirements are minimal and there are no transport restrictions at all," he said.

"There is nothing requiring a bolt to be removed or locked at all."

He said his client possesed an array of "cap and ball revolvers that do not require registration".

Cap and ball revolvers

Judge Bennett told the court he was familiar with the history of antique weapons.

"Samuel colt produced a number of these revolves that evolved before the Civil War … they went as far back as 1842."

Mr Rankmore also stands accused of possessing chemicals consistent with the manufacture of gun powder, a charge he denies.

Charge certification

At the end of the hearing, Ms Vakaura said the Crown would need to "carefully re-assess" the case against Mr Rankmore, after seeking further advice on firearm classifications.

"If I can be frank, I think the original basis on which crown certified these charges was that each of these required registration, the conclusion I have is they did not," she said.

Judge Bennett deferred his judgement on the classification of the weapons until next week, noting potential consequences if there was a conviction.

He will hand down his judgement on the classification of the weapons on October 1.