Posted on 12/02/2010 12:16:26 PM PST by onyx
In New Jersey, residents who want to transport firearms legally must request a permit from a local law enforcement office and produce a letter stating why it is necessary for them to carry a gun. In other words, New Jerseyans have to prove need before exercising what many Americans consider a constitutional right.
Twenty-seven-year-old Brian Aitken is learning that the hard way. Arrested in 2009 when police officers found two handguns locked and unloaded in the trunk of his car, Aitken was just sentenced in August to seven years in prison.
Now, protesters across the state are organizing a push for an appeal for the court’s ruling. A “Free Brian Aitken” Facebook page has almost 7,000 fans, the website briandaitken.com was built and a rally will be held Dec. 12, in Towns River, N.J. Aitken’s family is asking Chris Christie to grant clemency — gun control just might be the next test conservatives throw at the New Jersey governor.
A pardon from Christie is far from assured, even if he does have fairly established, conservative credentials.
During his 2009 campaign, he told Fox News host Sean Hannity, “Listen, at the end of the day, what I support are common sense laws that will allow people to protect themselves. But I also am very concerned about the safety of our police officers on the streets. Very concerned. And I want to make sure that we don’t have an abundance of guns out there.”
Nothing about Aitken’s past or history suggests he was a threat to the safety of police, or anyone else for that matter. After separating from his wife in 2008, Aitken moved from Colorado to his native home of New Jersey the end of that year, to be closer to his son.
Shortly thereafter, in January 2009, Aitken – according to one account – “became distraught, muttered something to his mother, and left his parents’ home in Mount Laurel, NJ,” after his ex-wife canceled a visit with their son.
At that point, his mother, who is a trained social worker, called the police out of concern. That’s when things went downhill for Aitken. After the police caught up with him, they determined he wasn’t a threat to his or anyone else’s safety, but proceeded to search his car anyway. Upon finding the guns, police pressed weapons charges against Aitken.
His family and supporters are arguing that not only did Aitken obtain the guns legally, but he was also exempted from New Jersey’s guns laws because he was simply moving residences. They also say the judge who tried the case, Justice James Morley, ignored supporting evidence of that.
Probably not, but it's my understanding that they asked anyway and he gave permission.
Thanks very much, Kent C.
Oh... thanks.
Aitkens’ jury had a gut feeling and deep suspicions something was not right.
All the more reason for Christie to pardon Aitkens....before Christmas.
When he is pardoned he needs to publically kick the dust off his shoes and leave NJ for the Free USA.
Christie is weak on support for the 2nd Amendment that’s why he’s dragging his feet, if he does anything at all.
“Thanks very much, Kent C.”
Thank YOU for bring this to our/my attention. I see Jim has this on Breaking News column but it should be a ‘sticky’...
I’m a sponsor at Institute for Justice and I’m urging them to get involved but it looks like they are already.
>>If they determined that he wasn’t a threat to himself or other, did they have probable cause to search his car trunk?
>Probably not, but it’s my understanding that they asked anyway and he gave permission.
Probably thought he did nothing wrong.
He was right!
Just the fact that the guns were in a duffle bag with his clothes was EVIDENCE that he was moving!!
He should at least be released on his own recognizance until the appeal, which - unless there is more to the story that we don’t know - should be a slam dunk.
Oh, good on you and that's good to know. Kudos and thanks very much (again)!
The commas?
Search your car, search your baggage, search your butt crack, open wide...
How long before they are knocking on your door in the middle of the night--or just kicking it down?
Oh, wait, nevermind....
Next thing you know, the Gestapo will be moving you into your guest room, America. (3rd Amendment, about the only one they haven't crapped on lately)
I hope she is satisfied.
Big mistake - moving from Colorado to NJ. You couldn’t pay me enough money to live there !
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