Jury directions that faithfully replicate the statutory language of the Firearms Act 1996 (NSW) regarding the definitions of 'firearm', 'possession' and 'sale' are not erroneous, even where the prosecution could have confined its case more narrowly. A single agreement to possess firearms is not rendered duplicitous merely because the conspiracy could be effected at different stages (possession of parts or assembled firearms). The reasoning of the majority in Jacob v R regarding disassembled weapons under the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 (NSW) may not apply to equivalent provisions of the Firearms Act.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 1 later case that cites this judgment.