Load Toad
A different perspective...
The possession of an unlicensed firearm carries a heavy penalty in this country. The "sorry-but-my-mates-packed-my-kit" excuse does not hold any water as (a) They should have known better and (b) bottom-line, and unfair as it may be, you are responsible for your own kit - every service person is taught that from day 1. bearing in mind that these guys deal with weaponry day-in and out they should've known the score.
In Iraq, his equipment was packed by colleagues, one of whom placed the pistol inside a container that was sent first to the SAS regimental headquarters in Hereford, then to his home where it remained unopened until 2010.
So for Nigh-on 3 years he never upacked any of his kit and left it skulking around the house? - Do you beleive that? Unlikely!
However I agree - the sentance was too harsh - he should have been torn a new arsehole by his CO and there is an end to it.