Facebook boy-with-gun pic: Governor wants investigation

cnet.com ^ | March 27, 2013 | Chris Matyszczyk

[Tailgunner Joe]

You thought it was all done bar the noisy debating. And even that was abating.

But not just yet.

After Shawn Moore posted a Facebook picture of his 11-year-old son, Josh, with a fetching .22 rifle, child-protection experts and police arrived.

Moore, of Carneys Point, N.J., was outraged. So was his lawyer. The police wanted to enter his house and examine the safe where he kept his guns. They wanted to know that his son would be safe.

The police, though, had no warrant.

Subsequently, the authorities explained that there was a heightened sensitivity, after the Newtown massacre.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is, however, not satisfied.

According to Fox News, the governor has asked his state's attorney general, Jeffrey Chiesa, to investigate "whether all applicable laws were appropriately followed, and to take any remedial, investigative, or other actions that may be required."

The governor is disturbed by reports that members of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency offered an excessively assertive attitude. The Department of Youth and Family Services has maintained its silence, citing confidentiality.

Moore's lawyer denies having asked for any further action to be taken, but he says he's happy for the matter to be fully examined.

He added, to Fox News, this cheery thought: "There's this really great reason why there's no charges and the case is closed, and that's because my client didn't do anything wrong."

Perhaps Christie's investigation will conclude that procedures weren't followed. Perhaps someone will be reprimanded, or worse.

However, when it comes to an emotive issue such as guns, there will still be those who believe that images such as the one posted by Moore will always incite heightened reactions, both for and against.

The police, it seems, have begun to provide their own details, prior to this investigation.

The Philadelphia Daily News reports today that police described Moore as "ranting" and being both aggressive and arrogant when they visited.

Worse, police said Moore smelled of alcohol and suggested that his wife, Julie, was none too pleased with her husband.

The police report, obtained by the Daily News, reads: "While we were waiting, Julie stood and spoke to us stating, Shawn has not been the same person since President Obama was elected. She stated he is obsessed with gun control, owning weapons, and his right to bear arms. Julie seemed embarrassed at her husband's behavior, however, she did not seem surprised."

Perhaps, then, any investigation by the attorney general might unearth even more polarizing facts and accusations.

I wonder if it will be finally revealed which of his Facebook friends contacted the police. That should be a polarizing piece of information.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

He needs to ditch Julie, she can’t be trusted.

[EEGator]

“Subsequently, the authorities explained that there was a heightened sensitivity, after the Newtown massacre.”

Sensitivity...I believe that overrides the 4th Amendment.

[piytar]

Agreed. (Rest of post redacted.)

[tomkat]

'Julie' reminds why bein' single ain't so bad after all

[Fzob]

Perhaps Christie's investigation will conclude that procedures weren't followed. Perhaps someone will be reprimanded, or worse.

Given the history or how NJ politicians do business, I would take it to mean someone is going to get a promotion.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

Bear in mind that we don't know Julie's mind, or what she actually said. We only know how reporters reported on what the police claimed she said.

[factoryrat]

Any excuse to kick down a door to violate your 4th amendment rights. At some point, they’ll kick down the wrong door, and it will cost them, dearly.

[digger48]

Let’s see.... the Police and Child Services got their @sses handed to them, and we are to believe their report?

[theneanderthal]

Try telling your long time wife to stfu. Just, damn. Her foot is, apparently, now in his mouth. His restraint， with gestapo on the porch is, unbelievable. I'm all unglued trying to wonder how I would have reacted 20 years ago when I was passing that picture around the family.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I had one like that, nothing worse.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

They’ve only been married since 2009, she looks a lot younger than he does.

[jwalsh07]

I would not be so quick to believe anything the cops leaked to the press.

[Secret Agent Man]

Any excuse for a tyrant.

[drypowder]

Alinsky ploy: consolidate and double down. That actually means roar like a lion and use the quiet cunning of a snake to win. As evidenced by the degrading condition of this country, the dems have become masters at it. And God bless those who are willing to stand and offer a challenge to try to preserve this once great country. It's so ironic that so many people the world over want to come here, when they get here we kiss their asses, offer them opportunities unimaginable in any other country but for some reason they want to change us. A house divided..............

[Grams A]

A wife like that often tends to speed up the aging process in the guy.

[Sooth2222]

That version of the report reads like Shakespeare compared to the original version, which was barely coherent even by NJ police report standards. I don't buy the story that the officers who were originally involved wrote it. More likely a "CYA" by their lawyers. That pesky Constitution-thing.

[tomkat]

I understand y'alls points, and agree re not trusting the lying bastards.

Sadly, the aforementioned relief isn't predicated solely on the reported persona of 'Julie' .. the published description is merely illustrative of the disloyalty of countless tens of thousands just like 'her'.

She'll be dumping the guy within the next year or two, dollars to donuts.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

That’s for sure!

[gunsequalfreedom]

This is a spoof story, right. I got my first .22 at 10 yeasrs old. I think I still have a pic of me shooting it.

Should I post the pic to YouTube and see if child protective services shows up?