Hmmmmmm.
Posted on 06/07/2013 4:31:36 AM PDT by bryan999
Dustin Reininger is a U.S. veteran and former police officer serving 3-5 years in a New Jersey prison for possession of firearms that he legally owned. As a result of the extreme and unjust New Jersey gun laws, Reininger was convicted of illegal possession of firearms as he was passing through the state.
Dustin Reininger is not from New Jersey. He was actually moving from Maine to Texas and was driving through New Jersey when he parked his car in a parking lot to rest for the night. Reininger was awakened in the night by police officers who searched his vehicle without a warrant. This unwarranted search was deemed justified because the officer saw two gun cases in the back of the vehicle. Reininger was transporting his entire gun collection that day and was arrested immediately.
Under the Firearm Owners Protection Act, citizens are actually allowed to transport firearms from state to state regardless of the legality of the guns between departure point and destination. For full protection under this act, however, citizens must keep their firearms locked in either the trunk or a case. Reininger’s only error was keeping his firearms in an unlocked case.
(Excerpt) Read more at gunnews.com ...
It would seem to me to be prosecutor’s discretion whether to prosecute such a case given the circumstances. Starting with the SS Storm Trooper cop who arrested this guy and proceding up the chain to the prosecutor’s office there obviously is a serious mental problem in NJ not to mention any belief in the second amendment. My dad used to be a cop in NJ long ago, I cannot envision him even arresting this guy, more probably he would have swapped gun stories with him. Alas, arrests like this is what passes for effective law enforcement in that crap hole of a state now. Add NJ to the list of states in the North East I would gladly cede back to the King.
The free state of Pennsylvania is just a few minutes away. New Jersey's firearms laws are stupid and draconian, but that the state has awful firearm laws is well known even if you're not an ex-LEO.
Sad to say, but I doubt that Christie will pardon this one.
I agree on the prosecutorial discretion; his defense attorney makes some additional sound arguments. But there are other facts to this story - that really hurt him - like he was “in abstentia” when convicted by a jury.
Yepp, you are right on the additional facts, and reasonable suspicion - why not sleep at the rest stop?
It was also reported that he had some empty gun cases in plain view in the back seat, which then led to the search of the trunk.
How much time has he served already? His trial, which he didn’t attend, and conviction was back in 2011 according to one article I read.
Like everything, there is more to the story.
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It’s hard to determine the facts from what is presented here and other info on the net doesn’t seem to help, imo.
Anyone who lives in New Jersey and does not have plans to get out needs an intervention.
Not only gun cases, but start wearing empty holsters everywhere, semi-concealed or open carry. The libs with their panties in a wad will be calling in man-with-a-gun continuously and overwhelm the system.
Oh, and fill the holsters with copies of the Constitution!
As soon as he hit the state line, or landed at O'Hare and drove off to his new home, he figured he would have been in violation of some of our STOO-PID™ Firearm laws. And he's right., folks have actually been arrested when Legally Transporting rifles per IL Law.
[First he thought of driving his RV 'down here', then decided to fly. Either way, screwed.]
oh yeah...it’s a shame that certain “known violent” cultures get catered to in this nation...
< He will know next time to stay his ass out of New Jersey. I do. >
We need to compile a list of states to avoid while vacationing. I will NOT go anywhere that won’t allow me to take a gun along for self-protection from predators. If all gunowners would boycott the states that violate the 2nd Amendment, we could at least make their politicians pay for their stupidity!
"At the trial the jury was told about the exceptions under New Jersey's gun laws. Under those laws firearms do not have to be registered, nor is a permit required if they are merely being transported from one place where it is legal to have them to another place where it is legal to have them. However they must "be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported."
"Police testified at the trial that the SUV did not have a trunk, and some rifles and shotguns were in unlocked nylon or vinyl cases on the backseat of Reininger's vehicle. They testified that the handgun was loaded and in the glove compartment, contrary to federal law."
His car was an SUV and it's not clear form the story if the long guns were in the second row seat or in the wayback. I wonder if he had the best legal representation. Also, he was tried and convicted in absentia. That probably didn't help him.
Needs repeating - Dustin Reininger is a U.S. veteran and former police officer serving 3-5 years in a New Jersey prison for possession of firearms that he legally owned
No money for motel room = probably no money for good representation either.
While I think his sentence is ridiculous, he did have a loaded handgun within reach of the driver, which is illegal in most states, not just Joisy.
If that’s how NJ offers “Full Faith and Credit” to citizens of other states, then NJ should be made to pay.
>While I think his sentence is ridiculous<
That’s a ‘HUGE’ understatement
By your statement you seem to be a ‘Conformist’
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