It continues a revolving door through the prison system that will require relapse prevention strategies to break the cycle, his lawyer says.

Ike Richards, 25, pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to seven charges.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Mitch Prewett said police attended Richards' Ballarat address on January 21, 2020 and saw him in the drivers' seat of a car idling out the front.

Police activated their lights and sirens and Richards attempted to drive around police before exiting the vehicle, pushing past police and running away.

The court heard police caught Richards nearby and searched his car.

Senior Constable Prewett said police found a sawn off 0.22 calibre rifle, 0.93 grams methamphetamine, five pills of ecstasy, deal bags and $1400 cash in the car.

They also found two large hunting knives, two axes, 15 0.22 calibre bullets, 10 used bullet cases, a passport suspected to be the proceeds of crime and three mobile phones.

Defence lawyer Claudia Flocke said she was instructed by Richards he was 'fascinated by firearms'.

"Give us a break... there is no fascination," Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg said in response.

"It is pretty clear what is going on. There is only one reason you would saw off the barrel."

The court heard Richards had relevant priors relating to firearms, drugs and dishonesty matters.

Ms Flocke said he fell back into 'old habits' when he was released from prison in January and was arrested three weeks later.

She said Richards had struggled with drug use since he was introduced to cannabis at 13 by an uncle and by age 14 it had become a daily habit.

Ms Flocke conceded imprisonment was warranted given Richards' prior convictions.

Senior Constable Prewett said a lengthy term of imprisonment was in range and would meet the sentencing principles of punishment, specific and general deterrence, denunciation and protection of the community.

Mr Rozencwajg said the charges painted an 'ugly picture of criminality'.

"People like you going around society with guns is extremely topical in the media and in offences against police," he said.

"You appeared five times before the court from 2015 to 2019 for possession of firearms.

"With your baggage and criminal history, you can't afford to appear in a courtroom."

Richards was sentenced to a total effective sentence of 18 months imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

"With your record, you are going to have to work on yourself," Mr Rozencwajg said.

"If you don't get your head straight and get away from this lifestyle you will be spending a significant period of your life in and out of prison."

Richards has served 133 days in pre-sentence detention.

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