A man who left his airgun at a Jobcentre said that he was “sorry” if it scared staff.
Curtis Joseph left the weapon behind when he went into the Huddersfield Jobcentre to enquire about work.
Kirklees magistrates heard that it caused some upset, with a security guard who previously served in the Army believing that it was a real gun.
Joseph, of Eastlands in Almondbury, pleaded guilty to possession of an air weapon in public without authority.
Alex Bozman, prosecuting, said that the incident happened at the High Street centre on November 3.
He told the court: “Mr Joseph attended at the Jobcentre for an interview. When he got up to go a gas powered pellet gun was left on his seat.
“The next person who comes for an interview finds the item, puts it on the table and a member of security staff alerts police.”
The Jobcentre provided details of Joseph, 20, and he was apprehended later.
Mr Bozman added: “The member of security staff who saw the gun believed it to be genuine because of how it looked and how heavy it was.
“He had previous firearms experience, having been in the Armed Forces.”
Armed police were not called in but the weapon was examined by a police expert who confirmed that it was a gas powered air pistol rather than a firearm.
Jonathan Slawinski, mitigating, said that his client was “ridiculous and stupid” for taking the item into the Jobcentre.
He explained: “Curtis had attended on the day to see a lady about job searching. Following an appointment she moved onto appointment two and the second person came in and sat on the item.
“He’d bought it from a friend, realised he had no use for it and on the day in question he was planning to get rid of it."
Joseph said later in his interview with a member of court probation staff that he was sorry if people had been scared.
Magistrates sentenced him to a community order including 15 days of activities.
Joseph must also pay £50 fine, £80 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
The airgun will now be destroyed.
