A Dunedin man was forced to deal methamphetamine to survive, despite being "anti meth", a court has heard.
On July 6, Philip William Ross, 37, was at home with his 2-year-old, 4-year-old and partner, the Dunedin District Court heard last week.
After suspecting the man was dealing drugs, police searched the address and found a loaded pump-action shotgun lying under the couch. It had four cartridges in the magazine and one in the chamber, ready to be fired.
"All that was required to discharge the cartridge was pressure on the trigger," Judge Michael Turner said.
"What seriously aggravates the offending is the presence of young children, who are mobile and inquisitive. They don’t understand the danger.
"This was a tragedy waiting to or about to happen."
Counsel Katy Barker said the man had put the gun there at the "last minute" after initially believing he was about to be robbed.
Ross was reportedly not addicted to methamphetamine but turned to drug dealing after a series of setbacks in his life.
The man said he was effectively "on the run" for a period of months — becoming a low-level street dealer despite being "anti meth".
Crown prosecutor Robin Bates said the man "blamed the judicial system" for his offending after feeling "forced to abscond" from his probation officer with whom he had repeatedly failed to report.
Ross had no previous firearm convictions and expressed regret for his actions.
"He recognises the devastating impact of methamphetamine on his community," Ms Barker said.
She said Ross began dealing cannabis at 14 years old to support his alcohol addiction, calling it an "incredibly sad" situation.
"A 14-year-old doesn’t put himself on that path out of nowhere."
Ross faced four charges in relation to his drug dealing operation and was sentenced to two years’ and seven months’ imprisonment.
"It is difficult to contemplate a more dangerous situation for the two children in the house," the judge said.
