Ballarat police arrest man after alleged firearm discovery

An Alfredton man was denied bail after failing to prove he was not a risk to a witness in an ongoing case.

Police allege they found a semi-automatic handgun and a .22 rifle after executing a raid at 34-year-old Peter Karpinski's home in January, as well as two tablets in deal bags and a set of scales.

Karpinski is a prohibited person under the Firearms Act.

Karpinski's brother Christian is facing separate charges for allegedly setting his former partner on fire - he returns to court for a committal mention in May.

Police allege they have recordings of the brothers talking on the phone about kidnapping the former partner before she could speak at the hearing.

His defence lawyer said it couldn't be proven that Karpinski was a risk to the affected family member - Karpinski was facing weapons charges, not conspiracy or other charges, and that is what he was asking to be bailed on.

However, Magistrate Ron Saines pointed to legislation which stated a person on bail must not be a risk to any person or interfere with any other case.

"Both brothers have significant motive to harm or dissuade (the witness)," he said, refusing the application.

PREVIOUSLY, April 11:

A Ballarat man has been charged after police allegedly discovered three guns, including semi-automatic pistols, in his house.

Peter Karpinski appeared via video link at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Wednesday for a filing hearing.

The court was told police searched the house Karpinski shared with his mother and allegedly located a .22 calibre rifle in a black case under some cushions in the lounge room.

Police allege two semi-automatic pistols were found wrapped up in a balaclava. A book was allegedly found in the kitchen with bullet holes through it.

A further search of the house in Karpinski's bedroom, allegedly uncovered a small box containing two unknown pills and a tablet press inside a cupboard.

Police arrested, interviewed and charged Karpinski with firearm and drug offences. He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.

A committal mention was set down for July 9 at the Ballarat Magistrates Court.

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.