Dylan James Heidtmann’s mother called police to their home last November after finding the weapon and five rounds of ammunition hidden in a cabinet in the 19-year-old’s room.

He later told officers he searched the internet to find out how to make the gun, which police identified as a .22 calibre long rifle.

Police laid four charges relating to firearm and ammunition possession.

Defence lawyer Tyrone Phillips told Port Kembla Local Court on Friday the offence had occurred at a time when his client was suffering from drug-induced psychosis, but that he had not used any substances since November. 

He said Heidtmann had regained the trust of his mother since that time and was now looking for full-time work.

Magistrate Michael Stoddart took into consideration Heidtmann’s mother’s view that her son had changed for the better, particularly given she had made the initial report to police.

He said the 19-year-old was lucky that neither he nor anyone else had been harmed and he hoped Heidtmann was serious about turning his life around.

‘‘Because on a regular basis people tell me ‘I’m not going to to drugs again’, ‘I’m not going to drink’, and they are back the next week,’’ Mr Stoddart said. 

‘‘If you commit another offence like this again you are going to jail – it’s the last place you want to be.’’

He sentenced Heidtmann to 200 hours’ community service and fined him $500 for possessing the ammunition.