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A Hammonds Plains man accused of illegally possessing and firing several guns, including three high-calibre assault rifles that have not been recovered by police, has been denied bail.

Travis James Terry Laing, 29, was arrested April 9 following an RCMP investigation that began in early January after a report of someone erratically driving a white Ford Crown Victoria with a black hood and roof on Lucasville Road while waving an assault rifle out a window.

A bail hearing got underway Tuesday in Halifax provincial court and wrapped up Friday.

Laing appeared in court by video from the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility because of social distancing measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The lawyers, who participated in the hearing by phone, did not request a publication ban on the details.

In her decision, Judge Ann Marie Simmons accepted the prosecutor’s submission that Laing’s detention was necessary for the protection of the public and to maintain confidence in the administration of justice.

RCMP obtained warrants to search Laing’s home on Chalamont Drive, his vehicle and electronic devices over a period of more than two months and seized a total of 17 shotguns and rifles.

Most of the weapons are registered to the other occupant of Laing’s residence and were secured in a locker in an upstairs bedroom.

But officers discovered two guns hidden in the bar area of the home’s rec room – a pistol-grip, pump-action shotgun with a sawed-off barrel and a .308 rifle.

Police also came across a list of licence plates and vehicle descriptions. At least two of the licence plates on the list were for RCMP officers’ personal vehicles.

The electronic devices seized by police allegedly contained photos or videos of Laing, his girlfriend or an unknown man holding or discharging various firearms, including prohibited assault rifles.

One of the videos allegedly shows Laing firing an assault rifle from inside his vehicle while driving on Highway 103 near Beechville in January.

There’s also a video from late 2019 of someone using a hacksaw to modify the barrel of an assault rifle.

Another video apparently recorded in January shows a man holding an assault rifle and Laing allegedly saying, “You can take out a few RCMP Mounties with that, eh?”

Laing faces 50 charges, including 11 counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, nine counts of careless use of a firearm, eight counts of recklessly discharging a firearm and seven counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle.

He also faces seven charges of possession of a prohibited loaded firearm, four charges of dangerous driving, two charges of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and single charges of possession of stolen property and uttering threats.

Police allege the offences were committed between Nov. 8, 2019, and March 22 of this year.

Laing has a limited criminal record and a six-year gap since his last conviction.

Crown attorney Kristyn Stevens argued at the bail hearing that if Laing was released, even on strict conditions, his risk to commit further offences could not be managed in the community. She said it’s “very concerning” that the assault rifles have not been located by investigators.

Defence lawyer Kai Glasgow acknowledged that the allegations against Laing are serious but said he is presumed innocent under Canadian law. Glasgow proposed that Laing be allowed to live with his mother in Hacketts Cove, subject to a curfew or house arrest and forbidden from driving or having any weapons.

The judge concluded Laing had to remain in custody but admitted it was “a difficult decision.”

“The seriousness of these allegations cannot be understated,” Simmons said.

“Possession and use of firearms, including shotguns, assault-style rifles, ammunition and an assault-style rifle with a bayonet, represent extremely serious allegations. The fact that possession and use are alleged over a lengthy period of time is of concern.”

Laing thanked the judge for her decision, which he said was “very thorough.” He said he hopes to retain Alan Ferrier as his lawyer.

The judge scheduled the case to return to court next week.