Ethan Daniel Baker, 24, appeared in the Launceston Supreme Court last week, charged with trafficking firearms. Police found Baker had been selling firearms after searching a home at Longford in May, 2015.

A phone was siezed during the search and a “large quantity of photographs, videos and SMS messages relating to the obtaining, possession, use and sale of firearms” were found.

A series of texts related to the sale of a 0.22 calibre pump action rifle for “half a ball of gear or $800 cash”.

"She is going at 5 to 800 to a fella down the coast I have to run it down to him so if u can come up with an offer an pick it up or meet closer to me I’ll take yours as I cbf driving that far bruzz,” one message read. The court heard guns had also been exchanged for cannabis.

A shotgun, a rifle and an air rifle were stolen during a burglary at Longford in 2015.

The court heard Baker had given the burglar an ounce of cannabis for the stolen shotgun.

Baker then offered the shotgun to another person in exchange for a larger rifle. During police interviews, Baker denied the allegations against him, claiming the phone found by officers was used by “many persons” who could have sent the messages.

Baker had already spent 18 days in custody on the matter, however, it was not the first time he had been jailed. He was sent to prison in 2014 over an assault and again in 2016 over a number of offences,including some firearms offences which he committed while on bail.

Handing down her sentence, Justice Shan Tennent said Baker had been a recreational drug user but started using ice regularly while he was in jail.

“There are signs of rehabilitation. However in my view this is a serious crime and the only response to it, to act as a personal and general deterrent, is an immediate custodial sentence,” she said.

Baker was convicted and sentenced to 11 months in prison, backdated to June 18. Four months of which was suspended for three years.