If there’s one state in the nation I refuse to even pass through, it’s New Jersey. Nothing against many of the people there, mind you. It’s simply the fact that I’m pretty sure with my luck, I’ll be arrested and prosecuted for the jacketed hollow points I typically carry in my EDC weapon.
However, residents of the state aren’t any better off. Take the story of Roosevelt Twyne.
Mr. Twyne was fortunate, though. Eventually, the charges were dropped, but not before his civil rights had been trampled on more than any decent human being should stand for.
Now, he’s considering taking action of his own.
The New Jersey man who was arrested for illegally carrying a gun despite having a valid permit is exploring legal action against authorities after charges were dropped on Friday.
Roosevelt Twyne’s lawyer told the Washington Free Beacon he is researching legal avenues for recovering damages from the Roselle Park Police Department and the prosecutor’s office. Attorney Evan Nappen said Twyne, who has been on unpaid suspension from his job as a licensed security guard since the February arrest, is “extremely pleased” the case was dropped. He said, however, there are significant issues left to resolve, and Twyne is looking at the best way to seek damages over the ordeal.
“We still need to get his gun back,” Nappen told the Free Beacon. “We’re working on that. Then, of course, you want to clear the record with expungement so he doesn’t have an arrest record. We’re looking at and weighing the options on further civil action.”
Nappen said the civil case faces significant legal hurdles, but it is a necessary step to prevent New Jersey gun owners from being put through similar circumstances by law enforcement officials. Twyne’s situation has also prompted Republican lawmakers in the state to call for changes to gun laws in order to better protect owners.
“New Jersey’s over-zealous gun laws have enabled scenarios where law-abiding citizens—in this case, a security guard nonetheless—are being prosecuted,” Assemblyman John DiMaio (R.) said in a statement. “Unfortunately, those good intentions have bad consequences. We want to fix that.”
Good luck with that.
Frankly, I hope Twyne is able to get all that he wants, potentially without the lawsuit. It’s not that I want to spare the Roselle Park Police Department, but Mr. Twyne himself. Lawsuits are involved and expensive, so skipping that would be ideal.
If not, or if the legal services are being provided pro bono, then yeah, hammer them.
The truth of the matter is that New Jersey’s draconian ban on hollow-point ammunition is probably the dumbest bit of gun control I have ever seen. As bad as other gun control laws are, most of them result in an annoyance for gun owners. There’s the endangerment of the public, of course, but not like banning this particular type of ammunition that’s designed to prevent over-penetration and thus minimize danger to the general public.
While I’m glad Twyne has had charges dropped against him, my hope is that he’ll get his record fully expunged and get his firearm returned to him. With the ammunition in question.
Lord knows, he deserves far more than that.
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