Don't Take your Flintlock to New Jersey!

[BladesNBarrels]

Flintlock from 1700s could land elderly NJ man in prison






In a case that underscores the Garden State's strict gun laws, Gordon Van Gilder, a retired English teacher and collector of historical items, has been charged with criminal possession of a handgun and faces up to 10 years in prison. If the 72-year-old is convicted, the charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 3.5 years and the pension Van Gilder earned as an educator could be revoked, penalties attorney Evan Nappen called "outrageous."


“It’s crazy," Nappen told FoxNews.com. "The gun was unloaded and strictly possessed as a historical relic. We’re hoping the prosecutor will exercise discretion and dismiss his case.”


Van Gilder readily acknowledged the unloaded gun was in his glove compartment and wrapped in cloth when he was pulled over for a traffic violation in Cumberland County in November 2014, according to Nappen. He had recently bought the gun and was planning to add it to his collection of antiques, which includes other old firearms, the lawyer said.

Van Gilder acquired the centuries-old gun for his antiques collection.


A retired teacher is facing 10 years in prison and the loss of his state pension for possessing a flintlock pistol that may not have been fired since George Washington was alive, his attorney told FoxNews.com on Wednesday.
In a case that underscores the Garden State's strict gun laws, Gordon Van Gilder, a retired English teacher and collector of historical items, has been charged with criminal possession of a handgun and faces up to 10 years in prison. If the 72-year-old is convicted, the charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 3.5 years and the pension Van Gilder earned as an educator could be revoked, penalties attorney Evan Nappen called "outrageous."
“It’s crazy," Nappen told FoxNews.com. "The gun was unloaded and strictly possessed as a historical relic. We’re hoping the prosecutor will exercise discretion and dismiss his case.”
Van Gilder readily acknowledged the unloaded gun was in his glove compartment and wrapped in cloth when he was pulled over for a traffic violation in Cumberland County in November 2014, according to Nappen. He had recently bought the gun and was planning to add it to his collection of antiques, which includes other old firearms, the lawyer said.

"Apparently there must be a lot of drive-by flintlock shootings in North Jersey."- Gordon Van Gilder

A Queen Anne flintlock is a prized collector's item, but not the weapon of choice for modern criminals, according to firearms experts.

[sniper7]

Not sure why it would be in the glovebox...but yes that is asinine.

[MrPrena]

Common sense NJ! Use your common sense!

[Guylee]

Better title would be "Just...don't go to New Jersey. Like, ever."

[Aloha_Shooter]

You presume I would even go to New Jersey. I occasionally have to go to California for work but I leave that hellhole as fast as I can and there's nothing to draw me to NJ.

[Big E3]

That is a gun that is not even required to have a back ground check to purchase under the Brady bill. How can that be considered a weapon, you can order one of those on line and have it shipped directly to your house. That is beyond C & R it's Antique even FFL's can sell them without a BGC. Why does NJ even waste time attempting to regulate something like that. And Chris Christie thinks we would vote for anybody that lived there let alone ran that shit hole state.

[Zundfolge]

I'm sorry but if you're a New Jersey police officer and you arrest otherwise law abiding people for these kinds of technical violations of the law (like this guy or Shaneen Allen) you are no longer an American as far as I'm concerned and the growing hatred of police in general is your fault. I hope you die of ass cancer.

And where the HELL is Krispy Kreme? Oh that's right, he's an anti gun statist schmuck RINO (I hope he dies of complications from diabetes).

[Hound]

Very messed up. I wonder when the last time somebody was actually shot with one out of anger..... 1800's?

[Gunner]

Are you F×cking kidding me

[Bailey Guns]

The science is settled. Guns are dangerous.