Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Gun licence returned to fisherman who shot at burglars

Updated at 3:59 pm on 11 May 2012

An angler who shot at a carload of fleeing burglars in a remote Wairarapa town has been given back his firearm licence after a judge ruled the original revocation in 2008 was faulty.

Garth Gadsby, 65, appeared in the Masterton District Court on Friday.

He shot at a stolen car in Ngawi in October 2006 and was convicted two years later of recklessly discharging a firearm, and ordered to pay a $3000 fine and forfeit his gun.

Mr Gadsby's reapplication for a licence was denied by the Wellington District Police Commander Inspector Richard Chambers in January.

Mr Gadsby appealed against that decision and the original firearm revocation.

Judge Chris Tuohy ruled at the Masterton District Court on Friday that the original revocation was faulty, as it did not allow Mr Gadsby an opportunity to make submissions.

He returned the licence to Mr Gadsby and said it was now up to police whether they wished to begin the revocation process again.

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