American Sentenced to Jail in Australia for Smuggling Gold-Plated Gun

Liliana Goodson, traveling for clown school, brought a 24-carat pistol despite Australia's strict firearm laws.

Liliana Goodson, a 30-year-old from Florida, was sentenced to one year in jail, with four months in full-time custody, for illegally importing a firearm and ammunition into Australia.
The gold-plated Colt .45-style pistol, valued at $3,000, was discovered in her luggage at Sydney Airport in April 2023 during a routine customs check.
Goodson initially claimed she forgot about the gun but had previously searched online about carrying firearms in luggage and set a calendar reminder to pack the weapon.
She told authorities she brought the gun for protection, despite being scared to fire it, and suggested she would use it as a deterrent or for self-defense by pistol-whipping if necessary.
The court emphasized Australia's strict stance on firearms, with the magistrate stating the sentence was intended to deter similar offenses.