KILLER BAILED ON GUN CHARGES

[AussieMark]

Killer bailed on gun charges

A CONVICTED killer was bailed yesterday despite allegedly being found with seven guns.

Mahmoud Chaouk, 36, faced Parramatta Local Court charged with one count of possessing more than three unregistered firearms plus one count of driving while disqualified.

He was freed on bail despite police expressing concerns about his criminal record and the possible threat he posed to community safety.

Chaouk has previously served a 3½ year jail sentence after he was convicted of manslaughter in 1993.

The decision by Magistrate Graham Coombs to grant him bail comes in the wake of growing community concern over gun-related violence, particularly a spate of fatal shootings in the city's southwest.

It also follows controversy last month when another Parramatta magistrate fined Bandido gang member Damian McEarchen, caught with a cache of firearms while on parole.

Chaouk, who lives in Guildford, was originally charged with murder, but was convicted of the lesser offence.

No further details of his criminal record were provided during yesterday's bail application, but police prosecutor Amin Assaad told the court Chaouk had a history of violence.

He said Chaouk had been found in possession of seven pistols while driving through Parramatta.

Chaouk's barrister, John Peluso, said his client claimed they were toys.

Chaouk was driving along the M4 at Parramatta on Tuesday morning when a police registration check revealed his car was unregistered.

Police pulled him over and, after a brief conversation, searched him.

"Police located seven firearms in the defendant's bumbag," it said.

"Each firearm resembles a small key-ring type remote control unit. The firearms are double-barrelled and are believed to be .38 calibre."

Asked if they were loaded he said "yeah, most of the time they don't work," the documents said.

Chaouk was carrying a fake driver's license but admitted he was unlicensed and had a warrant out against him for driving while disqualified.

He later refused to answer any questions about the weapons.

Mr Coombs said while he was concerned about Chaouk's criminal record, he was prepared to grant him bail as it was unlikely he would fail to appear at his next court hearing.

"The firearm matter is a little unclear as to exactly what the instruments are," he said.

The matter was adjourned to December 11.

[streetsoldier]

On this side of the Pacific, Federal law mandates imprisonment for at least five years if a convicted felon even has ammunition COMPONENTS, much less ammo, or any firearm at all in his/her possession...the sentences get stiffer depending on the perpetrator's background and recidivism.

Simple; go to prison, lose some "rights".