Young man who made his own firearm complimented, then jailed

A young man who made his own firearm using a spring from a broken umbrella, window netting, some screws, epoxy, and pieces of scrap metal was lauded for his talent by a Senior Magistrate, but was advised to use his skills for more legal pursuits.

Kesroy Williams, 27, appeared at the Serious Offences Court before Senior Magistrate, Colin John, on December 4, 2024, where he was charged that on July 22, 2024 at Belair he had in his possession two rounds of .38 ammunition, and one .38 special pistol, serial number unknown, without a license issued under the Firearms Act.

At about 5:30 p.m on the date in question, PC 805 Smith was among a party of Rapid Response Unit personnel on mobile patrol in the Belair area. Along the Georgie Gutter public road they saw Williams walking towards the police transport with a red book bag over his back. PC Smith alerted the driver to stop the transport. He exited, and approached Williams. After identifying himself and the party of officers, he requested a search of Williams’ person and the book bag he was carrying.

Nothing illegal was found on his person, but the officer searched the book bag and found a bag containing one black gun and two magazines, one of which contained two rounds of ammunition; the other was empty. When Williams was arrested and cautioned, he responded, “it’s my gun I have in the bag, and I want it back for survival”.

The gun was tested and was found to be in good working condition. Williams was later charged with being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The Senior Magistrate who learnt that the gun was “home-made” asked Williams why he likes guns so much. Williams replied, “boy I don’t know. I just find myself doing that without knowing”.

Williams explained to the Senior Magistrate how he manufactured the weapon.

“Mr Williams, you talented man,” magistrate John remarked to Williams, while examining the gun.

“You need to use your talent for something better…you need to divert your talent into more legal means,” the Senior Magistrate continued.

He suggested to Williams to get involved in welding. However, Williams said that he doesn’t want to because welding affects his eyes. While the Senior Magistrate continued suggesting legal ways in which Williams can use his talent, Williams appeared to be fascinated at how the police had caught him with such ease, and is of the strong opinion that someone had set him up.

Williams told the Senior Magistrate that he “would’ve been good” if he had just stayed in the bush, but the Senior Magistrate responded that it would have been better if he didn’t have the gun in the first place. John considered that no ammunition was found in the firearm, that Williams cooperated with the police, had no previous convictions, and suffers with a mental condition. John also considered Williams’ guilty plea, his age ,and that he has been on remand for the past four months and 11 days.

For being in illegal possession of firearm, Williams was ordered to serve a remainder of seven months in prison. He also was sentenced to three months for illegal possession of ammunition. The sentences are to run concurrently.

“It could have been worse,” the Senior Magistrate told Williams, as he advised him to “take your treatment and learn a skill…All the talent you have, use it to make something else.”