Brett Anthony Lawson, 29, appeared via video link in the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday, accused of possessing a rifle and bullets without permits and stealing a trailer and LED driving spotlights worth nearly $6000 from two people.

Mr Lawson has not pleaded to one count each of unauthorised possession of a rifle, unauthorised possession of ammunition and possession of a false registration plate.

He also faces two counts of theft to which he has also not pleaded.

Police documents tendered to the court accuse Mr Lawson, who has no fixed address, of committing the offences across Canberra between June 3-18.

Police also accuse Mr Lawson of removing letters from the trailer's number plate.

Mr Lawson was arrested on June 18 after a member of the public reported to police about seeing a long barrel gun in Mr Lawson's Mitsubishi Triton.

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During his interview with police, Mr Lawson said he had no knowledge of how the trailer came to be attached to his Triton.

The court on Saturday heard that the ACT Supreme Court handed Mr Lawson a suspended sentenced in November 2020 for offences similar to the fresh charges.

The NSW courts have also sentenced him to community-based orders for similar offences.

Prosecutor Julia Epstein opposed his bail application, saying she had concerns about his likelihood of failing to appear in court and potential to offend.

Defence lawyer Hugh Jorgensen said his client had no convictions in relation to failing to appear.

Mr Jorgensen said that while his client did "have a history", he was willing to report to police daily to mitigate concerns.

"Mr Lawson instructs me that he is currently living out of his car. He's full-time employed and whilst there is a degree of uncertainty about where he lives, there is that security of having full-time employment," he said.

Special magistrate Jane Campbell denied bail, citing Mr Lawson's criminal history, current sentences imposed on him and his lack of ties to the ACT.

Ms Campbell also said the complainant "has expressed concerns about the defendant seeking some retribution".

Mr Lawson is scheduled to front court again on July 12.

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