A MAN without a criminal record will still be able to say he's never been convicted if he abides by a conditional discharge.
Kyle Reeves, 23, pleaded guilty to a charge of transport or store firearm in manner contrary to regulations and will spend six months on probation with rules to follow as handed down by Judge Hermann Seidemann III in provincial court here.
“I just want to take this opportunity to apologize to the court for this incident,” said Reeves, adding his actions that led to the charge were “a fluke” as he is safety conscious, never had anything like this happen before and won't let it happen again.
Seidemann disagreed about it being a fluke.
“You may not normally be careless but it was a lack of appropriate care on your part,” said Seidemann,
“I do think it's necessary to bring home to you and the public that carelessness with firearms has to be zero tolerance. I will discharge you but on conditions.”
On June 5, 2010, Reeves was late driving here to go out of town with people he knew for work, said prosecutor Bill Funnell last week.
Reeves was in a hurry, parked his truck in the parking lot at Staples and left it whereupon police came upon it, thought it was parked at a bit of an odd angle, got suspicious, looked inside and saw a firearm, he said.
Officers got a search warrant and, when they got inside the truck, they found a second firearm, he said.
In court, defence lawyer Terry Wright said his client had no prior criminal record as an adult or youth.
Reeves had taken the required courses for firearms and got the appropriate licences, said Wright.
“There's no hint of criminal activity,” said Wright about the incident which brought his client to court.
“He is a hunter and had firearms in a parking lot.”
Reeves has experience with firearms and recognizes that they are dangerous, court heard.
“He pleaded guilty and has shown remorse and there is no reason to believe he will be back before the court,” said Wright.
A charge of careless use of a firearm was stayed by the prosecution.