Man found with array of weapons and loaded gun in car released on bail

Laurie Kirby, 37, had previously been refused bail in March after a magistrate described the weapons as a 'frightening array' associated with the 'highest level of crime in the community'.

The Ballarat Magistrates' Court heard on Tuesday Kirby was intercepted driving on Cedar Road in Ballarat and police searched his car after an officer saw a flip knife in the drivers' side door.

During the search they allegedly found a wire garrote, five knives, a machete, a tomahawk, a sharpened metal rod, a metal slingshot, a homemade taser and knuckle dusters in late February.

They also allegedly found a loaded sawn of 0.22 rifle, 0.22 rounds and ammunition, a silencer, a scope for a firearm, a black balaclava and gloves in the car.

Police also searched Kirby's home and found nine cannabis plants, a shotgun under a blanket on the bed and a spear gun in the living room.

The court heard Kirby was a prohibited person to possess a firearm and used cannabis to self medicate for depression.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Steve Kent said driving around Ballarat with that many weapons posed a significant risk to members of the community.

Defence barrister Jacqui Hession said Kirby had been suffering mental ill-health which had improved with treatment while in prison.

Kirby's father gave evidence to the court his son could live with him if released on bail.

The prosecution extensively questioned Kirby's father about guns legally stored at his property in the Golden Plains region and shared concerns Kirby could access the firearms if released.

The father said he would make an immediate report to police if Kirby did the wrong thing.

"The difficulty is if he does the wrong thing it could be anything from smoking a joint to shooting somebody," Leading Senior Constable Kent said.

Ms Hession said Kirby could have the support of the Court Integrated Services Program if released on bail and his last prior conviction was from 2005, showing a big gap in offending.

Magistrate Ron Saines said he believed there was less likelihood of Kirby possessing weapons if his mental health had improved.

He said Kirby's father would be able to provide supervision which would assist compliance with the CISP program and help in addressing underlying psychological issues.

He said he was satisfied compelling reasons for bail were met and the risk could be reduced to an acceptable level.

"The risk of access to firearms and equipment is certainly there," he said.

"There is an open shed at his father's with cutting devices and various tools that can also form weapons and there is also a lockable workshop that has a gun cupboard in it."

Mr Saines said the risks could be reduced with bail conditions not to go into the workshop or shed without his father, to abide by a curfew, not use drugs and comply with the CISP program.

Kirby will return to court in August. He has spent four months in custody.

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