Man arrested with recalibrated gun and ammunition in sports bag jailed

A man arrested with a gun and bullets after being involved in a drive-by shooting has been jailed for almost seven years.

Steven McGarry was stopped by police driving an Audi Q5 near Rangers’ Ibrox stadium in January this year.

The 37-year-old’s two-bedroom home in Paisley was later searched by police.

Officers later discovered the gun and 15 rounds of ammunition hidden in an Under Armour gym bag in a closet.

The firearm turned out to be a Slovak-made Grand Power pistol, originally designed to fire “blank rounds” like flares.

But at some point it had been converted to allow it to fire potentially lethal 9mm bullets.

McGarry was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison at the High Court in Glasgow after pleading guilty to a series of firearms charges last month.

The hearing heard that a “desperate” McGarry had returned to crime after being released from prison following the failure of a planned business venture.

In 2021, he was locked up for 44 months for his role as the car driver in a shooting at a house in Stepps.

McGarry was arrested for the crime after the stolen vehicle – also an Audi – was found parked outside an apartment where he lived.

Regarding the latest offence, prosecutor Chris McKenna told how McGarry had initially claimed he lived in Govan when he was arrested on Edmiston Drive in the town on January 17.

However, it turned out he had instead stayed in Paisley and had the keys to the property on him.

Forensic tests were carried out on the firearm after its discovery.

Mr McKenna said: “DNA attributable to McGarry was found on several parts of the handgun.

“This included the grip, trigger, magazine release button, hammer, sights, release button and the internal surface of the frame.”

The deputy attorney added that the weapon was “in working order” in both fully automatic and semi-automatic firing modes.

McGarry pleaded guilty to six counts under the Firearms Act, including possession of a pistol and ammunition.

Prosecutor Tony Lenehan, defending, said McGarry had “high hopes” for “better things” when he was released from prison.

But money problems scuppered his plans to start his own business.

The lawyer said McGarry then took “a step backwards rather than forwards” by taking possession of the gun in exchange for money.

Mr Lenehan said: “He retains the ambition to lead a pro-social life but makes it difficult for himself when he makes a stupid decision.”

At sentencing, Lady Hood said McGarry had stated in a pre-sentencing report that he had “borrowed” money for his business, which was later confiscated.

The judge: “You said you were desperate and kept the gun and ammunition for money.”

Moira Orr, head of major crime at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “This was a significant recovery of a weapon which had the potential to cause significant harm.

“This weapon has now been removed from service and Steven McGarry will spend time in prison for his crimes.

“This case underlines our commitment to continue working with the police and other agencies to ensure these crimes are detected and those responsible are prosecuted using all the measures at our disposal.”