Posted on 04/23/2014 8:17:14 AM PDT by marktwain
Virginia Gun Owner Being Unfairly Prosecuted In NJ For Accidentally Bringing A Gun Into The State
Virginia Citizens Defense League
Covington VA --(Ammoland.com)- A Virginia CHP holder, Guy Ackerman, inadvertently brought a handgun with him into NJ.
He discovered the gun in his car and rather than leave it in there with valet parking, he took the unloaded revolver to his room and locked it in the room safe. The valet had noticed the gun when it was in the car and told the police, who arrested Guy and charged him with unlawful weapon possession – a felony in NJ.
The prosecutor is refusing to allow Guy an option to avoid jail time, an option that is normally available in such cases.
Guy is really in a tough spot. If he takes the prosecutor’s current “deal,” Guy will spend one year in prison before being able to apply for parole. If denied, he will have to serve up to three years. If he rejects the idea of a “guilty” plea and is found guilty in a trial, he then faces a minimum jail sentence of between five and ten years.
Of course, if he wins the trial, he would be free. However, we are talking New Jersey.
This is why I avoid New Jersey, preferring not to leave America.
Here is a web site that provides details on Guy’s situation, as well as a petition to sign asking that Guy be given the non-felony option: www.wesupportourguy.com
About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org
I suspect those make him close to a domestic terrorist in NJ.
A responsible gun owner today, especially one that engages in interstate travel cannot neglect the impact of his carelessness, period.
A responsible gun owner shouldn't have to leave his constitutional rights at the state border.
Of course I agree with you. But that is not a substitute for diligence. There’s not a time when I get in my truck that I don’t think about that 1911 in my console and whether it needs to be there. NEVER. It’s the same when my grand children come over - where are my guns?
Here’s a novel thought...
DON’T VALET WHEN YOU’RE PACKING!!!!!!!
Actually, I suspect that this might be a good case for SCOTUS.
It is a Constitutional right, a 2nd Amendment right. This means that the states cannot make laws that eliminate that right. A person should be able to travel anywhere within the U.S. and not be arrested for traveling with a gun.
The powers enumerated for the Federal Government cannot be abrogated by the several States.
Ya’ did the right thing, snitch. /s
1 year or 3 years, he is still screwed, I wouldn’t take the plea either. I would try the full faith and credit defence on appeal, it is working for gay marriage, why not concealed permits. Your rights should not end at a state line.
I hope much the same as you, frankly. To me, it is a right not to be infringed, but in practice is not. With this simpering SCOTUS, I don’t hold much hope.
Regardless, we must each still consider our own particular situations and liabilities until that time comes.
I thought conservatives were for fighting to regain our constitutional rights? What exactly are saying?
I traveled from my home in Virginia to my parents’ home in Pennsylvania recently. My route took me through Maryland for about two miles - less than five minutes’ time spent in the state. My carry permit is honored in PA and WVa, but not Maryland.
To comply with the law I must stop somewhere in WVA (there’s nowhere near the border that’s convenient to stop), store the gun in a Maryland approved fashion, then later when I reach PA (and again there’s nowhere convenient within half an hour and “convenient” here means “gas station parking lot where anyone can see”) re-arm. Or make the entire trip with my gun locked away. Which kind of defeats the point of having it.
It’s absolutely ludicrous.
local militia just ought to go pick him up and carry him out of the state and arrest the local government for violating the constitution. This has to stop, and it has to stop now.
I see what Gaffer is saying, but I agree, a constitutional right is a right and doesn’t matter where you are in the US.
A clear violation of his civil rights. Absolutely infuriating.
Practicality of action does not automatically imply disbelief of the fundamental tenets of the Second Amendment. Screwing up in carrying to a state known for its draconian gun laws is not an excuse for something that could have been easily prevented.
IOW, there is ‘fighting’ and there is fighting. Choose your ground and your advantage. I’d much rather have a conflagration with the Fed over something like out west now than over something like this. He should have known better, IMO.
If I were retrieving a gun from the trunk of my car to transport to a safe lockup place, there would be no one around. Why in heaven's name did he attempt this with a valet in attendance? Bad mistake.
I’m not the poster boy for 2A dissatisfaction here. I only remarked about the need for a little diligence and common sense.
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. I’ve had a carry license for near 20 years and it is always in my mind about where I’m going with it...
This man acts”Responsibly”and he is jailed?Whatever happened to”Common Sense”???????????????
Remember this story?
Apparently even legally owning a gun and leaving it at home hundreds of miles away still qualifies for a severe flogging by the jack-boots...
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