An American backpacker who flew to Australia is in trouble with the law after she got off the plane and was discovered to be carrying a pistol. And it was not just any old gun, but one plated in 24K gold.
Liliana Goodson apparently told Australian police that she carried the gun for her own protection. She told the same thing to Downing Centre Local Court on August 21 during a hearing in which she pleaded not guilty to charges of importing a gun and ammunition.
Goodson cuts an unusual figure as she is heavily tattooed, including on her face. Some of the tattoos have floral designs, while the latest face tattoos appear to be horizontal lines across her cheeks. She also has several facial piercings. Goodson showed up to court carrying a stuffed toy dog.
The original incident took place in April of 2023 at the Sydney International Airport. Australian Border Force cops found the Colt-45-style pistol in her baggage; officers say they detected it through an X-ray scan after she landed from her flight originating in Los Angeles.
Goodson was arrested and then interviewed by the ABF officers. A video of the interview was played in court showing Goodson claiming to be a student who wanted to enroll at the Clown Institute in Sydney. When officers asked her why she brought the gun to Australia, Goodson seemed to brush the question off, then said she had consulted Google and learned that she could bring the gun as long as it was in a suitcase.
Explaining her naivete, Goodson said she had “little life experience” and had been sheltered. Knowledge that was common to other people, she said, was unknown to her, and she didn’t give much thought to bringing the gun.
Goodson did not declare the gun in the paperwork she completed to enter Australia, and prosecutors said she packed the gun in her bags despite knowing that weapons were banned.
Goodson admitted to knowing little to nothing about Australian gun laws, and appeared to believe she could take a course once down under and then just get a permit to carry within a few months.
Her lawyers told the court that Goodson had issues with drugs and mental health.
