Penitentiary sentence sought for handguns conviction

A Hanover man found to have four handguns – three of them loaded – after a mental health call could be facing a prison sentence after pleading guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition in Steinbach court last Friday.

Police responded to the mental health call in August 2023 after Lloyd Brian Neufeld’s family became concerned with his behaviour, including asking his older sons to handle the weapons while not acting like himself. Neufeld also struggled with earlier threats of suicide, according to the statement of facts read out in court.

Neufeld does have a valid non-restricted PAL to use firearms. Police were told he owned 18 to 20 guns, including three handguns.

RCMP detained Neufeld under the Mental Health Act and were given the passcode to a large safe with his 16 shotguns and rifles. Police also found a small safe in his bedroom, for which Neufeld refused to provide a passcode.

RCMP got a search warrant and opened the safe and found the four handguns with three semi-automatics having fully loaded magazines. Neufeld was arrested Aug. 23.

The Crown prosecutor said a penitentiary sentence of over three years would likely be sought. The defence said a conditional sentence to be served at home would be their request.

Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 15 after a pre-sentence report was written.