A Mackay region man told the Magistrates Court he was not aware that he had to have a licence for his air rifle.

A Mackay region man told the Magistrates Court he was not aware that he had to have a licence for his air rifle. Contributed

A MACKAY region man copped a harsh reminder about the legalities of air rifles when he was forced to forfeit a sentimental piece he'd owned for five decades.

Gary Lewis Spark, 65, was shooting cans with a mate during a drinking session at Ball Bay on December 7 last year, resulting in reports to police.

Officers arrived and ultimately charged Spark - who had no criminal history - with unlawful possession of a category A weapon.

Spark had owned the Shanghai 0.177 calibre air rifle since he was 15 years old, prosecutor Bernhard Berger told Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday, after a guilty plea was entered.

Mr Berger said police had arrived at the Kippen Drive home about 9.45pm, to find Spark and a friend "asleep outside the residence”.

"Police spoke with a witness who advised that particular witness and the defendant were earlier in the evening at the defendant's address and they were consuming alcohol and had fired off a number of shots with an air rifle in the defendant's backyard,” he said.

"The defendant and the witness had retired to the witness' residence to consume more alcohol.

"Prior to Queensland Ambulance Service and police leaving the scene, Calen police proceeded to the back area of the defendant's residence and located underneath a particular bar an unsecured Shanghai China model 0.177 calibre air rifle.”

Police seized the weapon and checks showed Spark did not own a necessary firearms licence.

Spark later told police he'd "owned the rifle for about 50 years, since he was 15, and he was not aware that he had to have a licence for the air rifle”.

"He stated that he had no recollection of events on that particular evening and that he'd fired off several shots at a tin,” Mr Berger said.

Spark, who did not have a lawyer, was asked by Magistrate Damien Dwyer if he had anything to say.

"I'm 65, I've never been in trouble before. Haven't even got a traffic offence,” he said. Spark agreed with Mr Dwyer's comment that it was silly to have been "getting on the grog and shooting guns”.

"I would've thought a 65-year-old would've been smarter than that,” Mr Dwyer added.

He ordered forfeiture of the air rifle, which was not opposed by Spark.

Taking into account an early plea, Mr Dwyer fined Spark $650 and did not record a conviction.

Queensland Police provide information about illegalities surrounding air rifles and other firearms in Queensland.