Shaun Andrew Winsor appeared in the dock of Tamworth Local Court, where he lodged an application for release ahead of Christmas.

He is accused of five offences including supplying and possessing both a shortened firearm and an unregistered firearm; as well as supplying a gun to someone unauthorised to possess it.

Magistrate Julie Soars said the police evidence in the fact sheets showed Winsor allegedly had "one firearm secreted in his shorts and produced it from there and discussed supplying another firearm".

"It does seem to me ... [to be] very serious," she told the court.

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DPP solicitor Kat McKay said the allegations against Winsor showed he was involved in "serious criminal activity" of supplying shortened firearms "that he knew to be involved in serious criminal activity".

"It's a strong prosecution case," she said.

"He was recorded making an actual supply."

Supported by family members in court, Winsor had already made a bail application, which was refused, Ms Soars was told.

This meant he had to overcome the section 74 hurdle to show a change in circumstances.

The court heard the charges were now not classified as "show cause", meaning Winsor didn't have to show why his detention was not justified.

Legal Aid solicitor Alex Floyd said his client could live with family in Tamworth at one of two houses; report often to police; live under house arrest or a curfew; undertake rehabilitation in the community; and not contact co-accused.

"He has now spent some seven months in custody," Mr Floyd said. Winsor was arrested in May by police from Strike Force Radius, which is investigating the Tamworth "ice castle" alleged gun and drug supply ring.

Mr Floyd said his client was not substantially involved in the strike force, but "he's been swept up in the net, so to speak", and was "only tangentially involved".

Ms McKay said Winsor had previous breaches of bail on his record in 2015 and 2017, and the bail conditions offered did not address the unacceptable risks.

Ms Soars noted Winsor was accused of supplying and possessing a weapon police allege was used in "serious criminal activity", but he had a relatively limited history and there had been a change in circumstances.

She said the risk of Winsor committing a further serious offence "cannot be mitigated by the conditions today ... and I have to refuse him bail".

Ms McKay said all charges were to be certified, meaning police were pushing ahead to prosecute all five against Winsor.

Mr Floyd told the court there was "some prospect" they would be resolved in the local court, which has a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment for the offences, if found guilty.

A case conference will be held to discuss the issues in the case between the defence and the prosecution.

Winsor will remain in custody until the case returns to court in February.

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