Indeed no, it is not. But, and here's a big but, the law has to be clear. As is this one. It is close to impossible to get laws passed as it is. How complicated would they be to take account of every single, possible set of circumstances. I don't like the outcome of that case any more than you, but that is the law and it IS completely clear. I say again, the person that could have changed things was the arresting officer. A little discretion, perhaps? A caution? An amnesty?
I feel sick whenever a real criminal gets off with any crime, including gun crimes, possession, etc. Make exceptions to that law and you just make it easier for their defence lawyer to get them off.