'Sportsman' didn't understand seriousness of firearms prohibition breach, lawyer argues

The Crown and defence agreed Tuesday that Jeffrey Goslow should receive a six-month penalty for violating two firearm prohibitions.

However, the lawyers differed on how and where the 44-year-old Echo Bay man should do his time.

Goslow "blatantly disregarded a court order," prosecutor Robert Skeggs said, arguing the sentence should be served behind bars.

Defence lawyer Joe Greco urged the judge to impose a conditional sentence, which his client, "a man of God" and "law-abiding citizen," would serve under house arrest.

After hearing their arguments, Ontario Court Justice John Condon reserved his decision until Dec. 17.

Goslow was placed on two 10-year firearm orders after being convicted of possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of a loaded prohibited weapon on May 18, 2017.

He had an exception that permitted him to have two firearms for sustenance and protection of his livestock.

The court heard earlier that police were called to a family dispute -- a heated argument between Goslow and his father -- on Feb. 14 of this year.

When officers arrived at his residence, Goslow indicated he had five more guns than he should have.

"He didn't lie, he was truthful and co-operative with police," Greco said.

Referring to the complainant's statement, Greco said his client's father never indicated that the accused pointed the 12-gauge shotgun at him or threatened him.

"There was no pointing, no loading, no cocking (of the firearm.)"

Goslow never intended to use the gun, he said.

The incident occurred just one year, nine months into the orders, and Goslow was not even close to being compliant, Skeggs countered.

"Those five extra guns just didn't appear there that morning."

He had "a cache of weapons" when he shouldn't have had more than two, the assistant Crown attorney said.

"The gun is not pointed, but the gun sure is there," Skeggs said.

Greco described the accused, an Algoma Steel employee, as an educated man, who attends church regularly, "not something we see everyday in this court."

Goslow is a sportsman, not a criminal, and what occurred is an "one-off incident," he argued.

Incarceration would result in the loss of his job of 15 years, a strain on his marriage, his children and friends, and would be the "last straw for him."

Greco told the judge Goslow didn't appreciate that a breach of the order would result in jail and "didn't understand the severity of the penalty that could be imposed if he breached (the order)."

Skeggs disagreed with the defence contention that Goslow is not a criminal, reminding the court he is here because of criminal actions

This is only an "one-off" if there were not the two previous convictions, he said.

"I accept responsibility for my actions, your honour," Goslow told the judge, "I am remorseful for what happened and not abiding by a court order." 

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