"Clearly, this was a serious drug dealer fully equipped and ready to go. You were going about your business fully armed with a loaded firearm," Judge Gibson said.
"Over the last few years you have been receiving a benefit from the Government, supplementing your income through methamphetamine dealing. Or it may well be the other way round."
Judge Gibson expressed concern over the loaded firearm and said it was a serious charge.
Joyce said the reason he was dealing drugs was because of his own drug addiction.
"You haven't got a lot to show for your life but a list of criminal convictions. You don't own your own home and now face a custodial sentence that will be relatively lengthy,'' the judge said.
"I hope you reflect while in jail and take steps to dissociate from the antisocial elements of your life and address your methamphetamine addiction. If you don't you will slip into a pattern of offending and I hope that doesn't occur."
Judge Gibson said if Joyce was released on parole after serving a third of his sentence it would not be sufficient to denounce his actions or deter others or protect the community.
She said Joyce should serve at least half the prison term he was sentenced to, meaning he will have to serve at least three of the six years jail he was sentenced to.