Fairfax, VA -(AmmoLand.com)- “They basically told me I’m one step below a murderer in the eyes of the New Jersey court.”
So says Mia Higginbotham, who once counted herself among the millions of legal, gun-owning Americans. That is, until the State of New Jersey turned her world upside down.
Higginbotham’s story starts the way many gun owners’ do: when she purchased a firearm for self-defense. But when it came time for her to transport her legal handgun from New Jersey to her new home in Florida – well, that’s when the problems started. One phone call later found Higginbotham in handcuffs in Newark Airport. Her alleged crime? Illegal possession of a handgun she legally owns, but a second-degree New Jersey felony nonetheless.
As most Second Amendment supporters know by now, New Jersey has some of the toughest gun control laws in the country. Would-be gun owners must apply for a permit before purchasing firearms. The process is so arduous that by the time there’s any response, it can sometimes be too late. For others, simple misunderstandings can lead a law-abiding gun owner too looking at fines, criminal charges, and even jail time.
In Higginbotham’s case, once she was arrested at Newark Airport, she was taken to jail, where a judge set her bail at $50,000.
“These gun laws are ruining peoples’ lives,” said Higginbotham.
She would know. Yet the state of New Jersey, unfortunately, keeps adding to its tally of gun-control victims, and in the process, putting one more innocent woman “one step below a murderer.”
New Jersey’s gun control insanity must end!
About the NRA-ILA:
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
For more information, please visit: www.nra.org. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.
the happiest day of my life was the day I moved from that hole called New Jersey , to the gun free state of South Carolina . i now hold a concealed carry permit . and Chris Christy wants to be president , not if we in SC can help it
this woman can be saved n=by jury nullification. If you end up on the jury vote for what you believe. It only takes one juror to stop they BS crap in NJ.
New Jersey historically is a state controlled by deceitful crooked politicians, not to mention the mob! The Democratic Party itself in this state, and other metro dictatorhips, can be described in 5 words: deceitful, crooked, immoral, treasonous, and socialist! Of course, a RINO: Republican In Name Only, isn’t any better. This constitutes pure class warfare, period! Read my two 2009 online commentaries via the Ashland, Oregon Daily Tidings. They include: “Anti-gun agenda is class warfare”: (ADT: January 9th, 2009), and “The War on America’s gun owners”: (ADT: August 3, 2009), respectively. These remain archived at http://www.dailytidings.com. Enter into “search.” No,… Read more »
Pure insanity.
Anytime a N.J. government official or LEO asks you about gun possession you’re automatically waiving your 5th Amendment protection from ‘self-incrimination’ if you answer them.