Gun-loving father boasting of his cache of weapons posts a picture of his baby boy wrapped in ammunition – as police slam the ‘disaster waiting to happen’
- Geraldton dad-of-two Daniel John Prunster, 25, pleads guilty to string of charges
- Court heard he shared his passion for guns and ammunition with his young kids
- One shocking photo shows Prunster’s baby son draped in belt of ammunition
- Another showed him pointing shotgun at his toddler daughter as she held a rifle
A Western Australia dad who shared his passion for guns and ammunition with his two young children have been slammed by police as a ‘disaster just waiting to happen’.
Daniel John Prunster, 25, pleaded guilty to a string of charges when he faced Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, including failing to adequately store firearms, pointing a firearm at another person and possessing cannabis.
As part of the case, two controversial pictures were shown to the court.
One shows Prunster’s baby son lying in his cot wrapped in a belt of ammunition, which the proud dad shared on Facebook in February, the West Australian reported.
‘My nugget trying to be a Russian,’ the post was reportedly captioned.
A court heard Daniel John Prunster, 25, uploaded this photo (pictured) of his baby son wrapped in a belt of ammunition onto Facebook
The court also heard about a horrifying image police found on Prunster’s mobile phone dated April 2020 of him pointing a shotgun at his daughter, who was holding a rifle.
She was just 15-months-old at the time.
His lawyer Amy Bowlay told the court Prunster was showing the toddler the correct way to hold a firearm and had removed the bolts and ammunition before giving it to his daughter.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Troy Gildersleeve described Prunster’s behavior as irresponsible.
‘The rule is to treat all firearms as dangerous and he has (not done this),’ he told the court.
‘The gun cabinet key was in the vehicle and ammunition was scattered around. It was a recipe for disaster just waiting to happen. His negligence could have resulted in a fatal accident.’
Daniel John Prunster (pictured) pleaded guilty to a string of charges involving firearms
Police made the disturbing discoveries after 68 rounds of ammunition and 14g of cannabis were found in his partner’s car.
Officers searched Prunster’s Geraldton home where they discovered 10 rounds of .223 ammunition, a single shotgun round, and .223 rounds near a gun safe in a wardrobe, which did not have a separate compartment for ammunition required by law.
A closer inspection uncovered a belt containing 25 rounds of shotgun ammunition, a .22 and .223 magazine containing live ammunition and 40g of cannabis hidden under furniture.
Prunster remains out on bail and will be sentenced on April 19.
He also faces having his firearms license revoked by the court.
Father-of-two Daniel John Prunster, 25, (pictured) recently vowed to family and friends on Facebook that he would change his ways
Ms Bowlay told the court her client was the sole provider for his young family and used his firearms for hunting and ‘cultural reasons’, as well as for controlling vermin.
She said Prunster acknowledged the ammunition and firearms weren’t stored safely but argued it wasn’t an ongoing habit.
Prunster recently acknowledged to friends and family online that he needed to change his ways.
‘I needed a wake up call, I’m ready for a change in my life. The last couple of days have really been a challenge but I’m powering through. Thanks for the support from everyone much love, times are changing,’ he posted on Facebook in March.
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