Opinion
New Jersey – -(AmmoLand.com)- On Saturday, October 19, 2019, the Michael Bloomberg funded Moms Demand Action, an organization that claims they advocate for “firearm safety” and “common-sense gun laws,” held a “Firearms 101 Presentation” with guest speaker Scott Pappalardo. Their website lists the event description ( https://northeast-moms.ngpvanhost.com/ngpvanforms/66454) as:
“Guest speaker Scott Pappalardo, a gun owner and volunteer leader in Moms Demand Action, presents firearms basics–how they work, how they are classified and how the permitting process works in NJ and in other states across the country. Our intention is to prepare non-gun owning volunteers to have knowledgeable conversations about gun violence prevention with gun owners they meet at tables or events…or in their everyday lives.”
Scott Pappalardo made national news in 2018 when he cut his AR-15 in half “if it would save the life of just one child.”
At the meeting, it appears that multiple New Jersey gun laws were violated. The Moms Demand Action speaker, Scott Pappalardo, possessed several “large-capacity” magazines, unserialized 80% AR15 lower receivers, and the parts and tools to complete the lower receivers to functioning AR-15 rifles, and possessed a large bayonet.
In June 2018, Moms Demand Action applauded the New Jersey legislature for passing laws that would ban “large-capacity” magazines that reduce a firearm ammunition magazine from 15 rounds down to 10 rounds and bans “ghost gun” parts and tools. New Jersey’s “large-capacity” magazine law 2C:39-3j, states:
“Any person who knowingly has in his possession a large capacity ammunition magazine is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree…”
“Large-capacity” magazines are defined by NJ law 2C:39-1y as:
“…a box, drum, tube or other container which is capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition to be fed continuously and directly therefrom into a semi-automatic firearm.”
The prohibition and ban of “large-capacity” magazines have been widely supported by gun-control organizations, such as Moms Demand Action.
By transporting a “large-capacity” magazine anywhere in New Jersey a person would violate New Jersey law 2C:39-9h that states:
“Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells or disposes of a large capacity ammunition magazine which is intended to be used for any purpose other than for authorized military or law enforcement purposes by duly authorized military or law enforcement personnel is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.”
Pappalardo possessed unserialized AR15 lower receivers and explained how easy it is to produce a firearm at home.
Moms Demand Action and their members have supported the ban of these tools and parts to be able to create your own firearm. Their website applauded the passing of these bills by stating “…which would prohibit ghost guns, untraceable firearms that people can build themselves, avoiding background check requirements…”
New Jersey law 2C:39-9k states:
“Purchasing firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number. In addition to any other criminal penalties provided under law, a person who, with the purpose to manufacture or otherwise assemble a firearm and without being registered or licensed do so as provided in chapter 58 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, purchases or otherwise obtains separately or as part of a kit a firearm frame or firearm receiver which is not imprinted with a serial number registered with a federally licensed manufacturer or any combination of parts from which a firearm without a serial number may be readily manufactured or otherwise assembled, but which does not have the capacity to function as a firearm unless manufactured or otherwise assembled is guilty of a crime of the third degree. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:1-8 or any other law, a conviction under this subsection shall not merge with a conviction for any other criminal offense and the court shall impose separate sentences upon a violation of this subsection and any other criminal offense.”
Pappalardo also possessed a large bayonet which could be a violation of NJ 2C:39-5d which states:
Other weapons. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any other weapon under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for such lawful uses as it may have is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
Live ammunition ranging from .50BMG to 5.56 AR15 ammunition was also possessed by Pappalardo. Pappalardo presented at the William G. Rohrer Memorial Library, which is situated between four local schools. It is unknown at this time if possessing ammunition in gun-free school zones is a violation of state or federal law. Giffords Law Center and Moms Demand Action have both supported stricter laws to prohibit ammunition possession in school zones.
The National Rifle Association (NRA), the nation’s largest firearm safety and education organization, strictly forbids live ammunition anywhere except during live-fire practices in the gun range.
A local NRA Instructor and Training Counselor from ScotShot LLC agreed. “Live ammunition is expressly forbidden in all NRA classroom activities. Every course slide deck has this clearly stated.”
- Third-degree crimes are 3 to 5 years in State’s Prison and up to a $15,000 fine per offense.
- Fourth-degree crimes are up to 18 months in State’s Prison and up to a $10,000 fine per offense.
The Attorney General’s office, Governor Murphy’s administration, and the Haddon Township police have not responded for comment.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.
About the New Jersey Second Amendment Society:
New Jersey Second Amendment Society – Our mission is to promote the free exercise of Second Amendment rights within the community and Legislature of New Jersey, to educate the community regarding the enjoyable, safe, and responsible use of firearms, and to engender a sense of camaraderie and fellowship among the members and their families. Visit: www.nj2as.org
How can a guy this ignorant of the laws in New Jersey give advice on guns,,,, oh wait it is MDA their business is ignorance.
So, Pappalardo was planning to shoot children with his rifle? So he cut it in half, so he wouldn’t be able to do that? Wow! Oh, wait! Maybe it wasn’t Pappalardo that was planning to shoot children, it was the RIFLE that was planning to shoot children . . . . Why didn’t he just lock that bad rifle up in a gun safe until he could get that bad rifle some psychiatric assistance? Was the bad rifle incurable? Who decided that? Did he even TRY to get that bad rifle some psychiatric help before cutting it in half? I… Read more »
Typical progressive hypocrisy What is good for thee is not required of me. Double standards. If Poppolardo was so intent on imposing his safety measures on the world the place he should have started was his inventory of standard capacity magazines, spare lowers and AR parts. Today one can become an “expert” by pulling a stunt on social media and then getting an agent. The days of “expertise” are over. We will win this war because truth is on our side. Hold firm to the truth and call out these frauds.
Cutting the barrel of an AR-15 does not “destroy” the gun. The barrel is a wear item and can be replaced. I believe this is a stunt in an attempt to have sheep follow his lead. While he installs a new barrel and gas tube, making his rifle whole again.
So when will these people be charged with crimes?
You can just bet the NJSP will get right on this, right after they find bigfoot in the Pine Barrens.