Champion shooter dodges court bullet

Luke Mende, 31, a national champion speed steel and cowboy action shooter, was discharged without conviction after pleading guilty to unlawfully having a .38 derringer pistol.

Arrested after accidentally shooting himself in the hand and having his gun licence taken by police as a result, champion shooter Luke Emil Mende is stoked he could be toting a gun again soon.

The 31-year-old was discharged without conviction by Judge Barbara Morris in Masterton District Court after pleading guilty to a charge of unlawful possession of a derringer .38 collector's pistol, leaving the way open for him to apply for his gun licence to be returned.

He agreed to make a voluntary donation of $400 to the Gladstone sports complex.

A charge of careless use of a pistol was withdrawn by police earlier.

While Mr Mende had a firearm licence at the time he shot himself, the licence didn't allow him to shoot a pistol on private land, only in a licensed shooting gallery.

On Christmas Day he was at his father-in-law's farm and loaded two bullets into the collector's gun his father owned to try it out.

On forcing the barrel shut, it went off, shooting him in the hand, narrowly missing two knuckles but breaking a finger in his left hand.

Police took his gun licence a month later when he was charged and he hasn't shot a gun since.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said a conviction would have a serious impact on his client's ability to take part in shooting competitions.

Judge Morris said a conviction of unlawful possession of a pistol would raise too many questions by authorities when Mr Mende travelled overseas to compete competitively, impacting seriously on his sport because the offence "suggests something more sinister".

"Any possession of a pistol unlawfully is serious."

Police had taken a "sensible, compassionate approach" to the charges, Judge Morris said.

Outside court, Mr Mende said he was pleased it was all behind him.

"I just want to shoot again," he said. "It leaves the way open to get my licence back."

Mr Mende is a champion speed steel and cowboy action shooter and said such a conviction would have disqualified him from competing and travelling overseas to compete.

He and his dad, Doug, are keen shooters who say they "don't hunt, we are target shooters. It's a sport."

Mr Mende snr has six gold medals notched on his holster. The pair are hoping to go to the World Cowboy Action Championship next year.

"As a team, we are up there," he said.