Brian Aitken

[wisco]

Just wanted to share this, I've donated to the support group on facebook to help with his legal fees.

New Jersey Gun Case Exposes 'Patchwork' of State Laws, Experts Say - FoxNews.com

The case of a New Jersey man who is serving seven years in prison for possessing two locked and unloaded handguns he purchased legally in Colorado is a perfect example of how a law-abiding citizen can unwittingly become a criminal due to vastly differing gun laws among the states, gun rights experts say.

Brian Aitken, a 27-year-old entrepreneur and media consultant with no prior criminal record, now spends his days "bored and depressed" behind bars at New Jersey's Mid-State Correctional Facility, his father, Larry Aitken, of Mount Laurel, N.J., says.

Brian was trying to get his life back on track two years ago when he moved back to New Jersey from Colorado to be closer to his young son and estranged wife. But on Jan. 2, 2009, his mood darkened when his planned visit with his son was canceled at the last minute. His mother, concerned for his safety, called the police, and when the police located him, they searched his car and found two locked and unloaded handguns in the trunk.

Aitken had purchased the guns legally in Colorado, and he passed an FBI background check when he bought them, his father said. And he said Brian also contacted New Jersey State Police before moving back back home to discuss how to properly transport his weapons. But despite those good-faith efforts, he said, Brian was convicted on weapons charges and sent to prison in August.

[MikeG]

I don't know the details but it sounds fishy. I'd be willing to bet there's more to the story. Possibly threats or multiple contacts with police for the same violation. Maybe I live in a too gun-friendly state but even in california I've rarely heard of a person with guns locked in the trunk having a problem unless they threatened someone.

Dollars to donuts other people knew about the guns in his trunk because of some vague or specific threat and that's what generated the search. They my have even witnessed him putting the guns i n the trunk after making a threat. The prosecution must have thought they had a pretty solid criminally culpable mental state in order to prosecute. I dunno, maybe they are just weird in NJ.

[retdetsgt]

I don't know the details but it sounds fishy. I'd be willing to bet there's more to the story.

Doesn't look like it. I'm always suspicious when something like this is carried only by news sites with agendas, but ABC News has the story too and it sounds pretty draconian to send the guy to prison for this.


Brian Aitken, New Jersey Prisoner on Gun Charge Appeals to Governor for Clemency - ABC News