A man caught with high powered guns, including a semi automatic rifle, lying around his home now faces jail, after driving around with a shotgun and ammunition in his car. 

Paul McGowan pleaded guilty to possessing the haul of rifles unsecured around his home St Andrew’s Avenue, Prestwick, after being pulled over with ammunition and a shotgun in Monkton Road.

The 37-year-old shotgun and firearms certificate holder also admitted possessing rifle rounds in excess of the lawful amount of 800 unsecured outside his cabinets, which lay open with the keys inside in November 20, 2022. 

Sentence was deferred when he pleaded guilty last week [Wednesday May 15], with the licenced gun owner facing prison for the number of firearms breaches, having been authorisied to legally possess them securely by Chief Constable of Police Scotland.

Procurator Fiscal depute Chris Munro said: “Police on patrol observed a light blue Ford Focus that appeared in a poor state of repair. 

Ayr Advertiser: .22 bullets were found in the vehicle and house.22 bullets were found in the vehicle and house (Image: Contributed)

“They stopped the vehicle and spoke driver Paul McGowan. Looking into the vehicle, they noted a large amount ammunition on the front passenger seat. 

“He told police he was a firearms licence holder and told officers firearms were in his property. 

“At the time, he also informed officers he had a shotgun. Police recovered a Miroku 12 bore in the rear vehicle. Firearms officers attended to make it safe.

"He also informed officers he had unsecured firearms in his address."

The fiscal continued: “At 12.30am, officers searched the property and observed two large gun cabinets, both unlocked, with keys in the lock and the door open. Weapons were strewn across the floor. The ammunition safe was unlocked with thousands of rounds. 

“A CZ rifle was on the floor hallway, a Winchester lever action rifle was in the hallway and a semi-automatic rifle floor of the hallway”.

He said that all the weapons were recorded on the accused’s firearms certificate. 

The fiscal added: "Large amounts of ammunition were found unsecured in the bedroom. In total, 4,269 rounds of .22 ammunition were found, the restriction being not to hold more than 800. 

“In conclusion of the search, he was told he would be subject to a report to the Procurator Fiscal.” 

Depute Fiscal Munro made a motion for the rifles to be destroyed. 

Defence solicitor Steven Maxwell said: “Regarding the motion for destruction, I have valuations of certain items and Mr McGowan may voluntarily give up any right he had.  

“Inevitably as result, he has lost his employment." 

Sheriff Shirley Foran deferred sentence for criminal justice social work reports.  

Bail was continued and McGowan will return to court at a later date.