Flintlock from 1700s could land elderly NJ man in prison

Yes, the draconian gun control laws in New Jersey (USA) have hit a new low. Now, a man has been arrested for possessing a flintlock pistol, that was not loaded (no ball, powder, or flint), while transporting it home after purchase.

Source

I personally own a reproduction 1763 French Charleville smooth bore flintlock musket (.69 caliber) and a reproduction English 1756 Pattern Sea Service Flintlock pistol (.32 caliber). And I challenge ANYONE to attempt to fire this at someone without:

• Black Powder
  
• Flint
  
• Lead Ball
  
• Knowledge of loading procedure
  

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

So, those in NJ that enjoy the historic reenactments, you will soon be kissing them goodbye, all thanks to the crazed gun control lobby that fears a hunk of metal and wood, and throws common sense in the trash in the process. I can guarantee you that the folks doing those event that travel literally hours or days on the road to/from to participate, will think twice now for any of them in NJ (goodbye annual Monmouth NJ reenactment).

New Jersey law does not exempt antique firearms

Perhaps, NJ residents need to RECTIFY that loophole as other states have done previously (Massachusetts being one of them back in, I believe it was 1994).






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a reply to: Krakatoa

well that is NJ for you. The east coast southern California....

I swear they are idiots on purpose. Willful idiots.

Good! We need stricter gun control laws when it comes to antique firearms that are being transported with no powder or ammo. Just think what might've happened if he'd been threatened?!? He might've THROWN it at somebody!

That is absolutely ridiculous. No other words for it.

Insanity. This firearm is a better weapon as a club than a pistol.

Read about this earlier today.

I love the part where they said they were running ballistics on it.

Fruitless of course since 1) It's a smooth bore weapon, and 2) I'm pretty sure that a flint lock is not going to be normally the weapon of choice for most.

There is a word for this: Overreacting

This story is just absurd. I sincerely hope that when he appears before a judge his case will be immediately dismissed. There can be common sense applied to situations like this. He might not have been transporting it legally as I don't know NJ transportation of firearm laws but that is no reason for him to be facing the charges he is. I hope it all works out for this man.

originally posted by: eriktheawful
I love the part where they said they were running ballistics on it.

Was he running around challenging people to duels or something ? Lol seriously I don't know if you'd get that much heat in Canada with our ridiculous gun laws.

a reply to: Krakatoa

What no one is talking about is that New Jersey has what?

A Republican governor!

Guess most of us are intelligent enough to figure that one out?

And anti gun people honestly wonder why gun owners are so worried about every gun law.

If he was an illegal alien and had a loaded 9mm on his lap with a dead teenaged hooker in the trunk, he would have gotten off with a stern warning.

a reply to: Krakatoa

They also "have" to fire it to do a ballistics test, even though it is a smooth bore, thus can't provide any rifling ballistics data...


Whisky tango foxtrot over, we have a FUBAR situation in Jersey.

a reply to: Krakatoa

Sounds like something directly from the book Out of the Ashes.

TPTB didn't /doesn't want people to read it because it perfectly described what they were and have become.

Especially when it comes to the gun grabbing.

originally posted by: beezzer
If he was an illegal alien and had a loaded 9mm on his lap with a dead teenaged hooker in the trunk, he would have gotten off with a stern warning.

You forgot while drunk driving a stolen car.

a reply to: FalcoFan

Sometimes I've wondered if it was just me that read the ashes series.

a reply to: beezzer

No-even a warning would be considered racist.

Ask any of the obama worshipers-they'll tell you.

a reply to: Irishhaf

If everyone (in the U.S.) read the book at least 10-12 years ago-this gun hating liberal oligarchy may never have been allowed to become the tyrant to personal freedom that it is today.

originally posted by: seeker1963
a reply to: Krakatoa

What no one is talking about is that New Jersey has what?

A Republican governor!

Guess most of us are intelligent enough to figure that one out?

I think this type of stupidity spans all political affiliations. So, your comment, IMO, is moot.

Nice try at political trolling...

originally posted by: seeker1963
a reply to: Krakatoa

What no one is talking about is that New Jersey has what?

A Republican governor!

Guess most of us are intelligent enough to figure that one out?

And that means what these days. Left, right, liberal or Conservative they are all wolves in a pasture full of sheep.

originally posted by: Krakatoa

originally posted by: seeker1963
a reply to: Krakatoa

What no one is talking about is that New Jersey has what?

A Republican governor!

Guess most of us are intelligent enough to figure that one out?

I think this type of stupidity spans all political affiliations. So, your comment, IMO, is moot.

Nice try at political trolling...

How is it political trolling when the Republican party supposedly supports the 2nd?

Sorry to offend your church, but I support the 2nd! However I won't support a hypocrite that pretends.....

Sorry I infiltrated your service

a reply to: seeker1963

Chris Christie is as conservative as Michael Moore.

(and they trade pants)