Andrew James Oakley, who has a history of violence, is banned from holding a gun licence.

A homemade gas propelled airgun, which had been used at the Wodonga Greenfreight depot by staff, is considered to be a firearm.

A colleague complained when Oakley used the device to shoot either ball bearings or marbles at the site.

There was no suggestion the items were fired at other workers by the welder, but the Wodonga Magistrates Court this week heard there were concerns about projectiles ricocheting.

Lawyer Sally Wilson said there was no evidence to show her client made the weapon, and no force behind the projectiles.

But magistrate Ian Watkins noted the risk of the behaviour.

“I wouldn’t want to be hit in the temple with a ball bearing,” he said.

The gas gun is no longer in use at the depot.

Oakley did not concede anyone was at risk.

Ms Wilson said the co-worker who reported the issue had a “gripe” towards him.

It was unclear why Oakley was banned from having a gun licence, but he has previously escaped jail for “pulverising” a man’s face in the White Box Rise car park in 2015. 

Mr Watkins said there was a proper way to deal with pigeons.

“This wasn’t the way to deal with them,” he said.

The magistrate fined Oakley $750 and ordered he pay $124 in costs.