ONE gun shop owner has paid a big price for failing to secure his weapons properly during a refurbishment.

Gerard Charlie Raiteri owns Hunting and Shooting Supplies Whitsunday in Proserpine and faced seven charges in the Proserpine Magistrate's Court on Monday.

The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to charges relating to failing to register a number of guns and failing to secure a number of guns in the store.

Police prosecutor Kevin Carmont said police inspected the store on February 23 and found 24 firearms unsecured on the floor behind the counter.

Mr Carmont said they were within "easy access to the public".

Continuing to the main storage area, police found another 24 guns leaning against pieces of furniture and a further 53 unsecured guns in the store's safes.

Defence lawyer Nicholas Crawford said on the day in question, the store was re-arranged for refurbishment and the shop had an influx of firearms at the time.

The further charges related to not filing weapons licences for a number of shotguns and rifles within 14 days.

Mr Crawford said Raiteri had spent $6000 since the incident in security and upgrades and that no firearms were ever missing.

In sentencing, magistrate Kevin Young said he was satisfied nothing sinister had taken place.

"I will say for the record, I'm satisfied that he is otherwise a fit and proper person to hold and maintain his licence."

Raiteri was fined $3500 and had no conviction recorded.