Qld man gets back gun used in death

A central Queensland man has regained his weapons licence after it was revoked when a gun he owned was used in a self-inflicted death.

William Richmond, from Emerald, has successfully appealed to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal to have his licence reinstated and his five guns returned after police considered he was he was not a "fit and proper person" to hold a licence.

Mr Richmond, 61, had held a weapons licence for 25 years and he owned two shot guns and three rifles.

One of his rifles was accidentally left at his son's house in 2014 on a "seven foot high" cupboard after he visited his son but forgot to retrieve his gun.

However, a 21-year-old male who also resided at the house later used the gun to commit suicide.

As part of its judgment, QCAT determined there was evidence to establish that "Mr Richmond knew or should have known that the risk of leaving the rifle at his son's home unsecured was greater than the risk of leaving it in an 'average' residence unsecured".

But he had no other history of failing to comply with gun laws.

* For support and information about suicide prevention, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.