Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Licensed Security Guard Arrested Under New Jersey’s Self-Defense Ammunition Ban

Monday, March 9, 2020

Licensed Security Guard Arrested Under New Jersey’s Self-Defense Ammunition Ban

With cases like those of Shanneen Allen, Brian Aitken, Gordon Van Gilder, Hisashi Pompey, and many others, New Jersey has a well-earned reputation for malevolent gun prosecutions. As bad as those cases were, the Garden State may have just bested their own record for malice with a new low in anti-gun oppression.

According to a report from Ammoland.com, armored car security guard Roosevelt Twyne was driving home from a shift in early February when he was pulled over in Roselle Park, N.J., allegedly for a window tint violation. At the time, Twyne was carrying a handgun loaded with Hornady Critical Duty ammunition. As he is a security guard, Twyne has a valid New Jersey permit to carry a handgun.

New Jersey is a may-issue carry permit state. Most applicants are required to justify their need for a permit to carry. N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4 requires,

Each application form shall be accompanied by a written certification of justifiable need to carry a handgun, which shall be under oath and, in the case of a private citizen, shall specify in detail the urgent necessity for self-protection, as evidenced by specific threats or previous attacks which demonstrate a special danger to the applicant's life that cannot be avoided by means other than by issuance of a permit to carry a handgun. Where possible, the applicant shall corroborate the existence of any specific threats or previous attacks by reference to reports of the incidents to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Additional burdens in the application process include a fingerprinting requirement and a requirement to obtain three personal references. Even after complying with all of these measures, the permit is only valid for a two-year period. 

According to Ammoland.com, despite being one of the few individuals with a New Jersey carry permit, Twyne was arrested and charged with illegal transportation of a firearm.

Further, Twyne was reportedly charged with violating New Jersey’s prohibition on hollow-point self-defense ammunition. N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3states,

Any person, other than a law enforcement officer or persons engaged in activities pursuant to subsection f. of N.J.S.2C:39-6, who knowingly has in his possession any hollow nose or dum-dum bullet…  is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

New Jersey is the only state that prohibits hollow-point self-defense ammunition.

Millions of American gun owners choose to use hollow-point self-defense ammunition to protect themselves and those around them. In District of Columbia v. Heller, U.S. Supreme Court made clear that the Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms “in common use” for lawful purposes. As this ammunition is a favorite choice of Americans for the lawful purpose of self-defense, New Jersey’s law is unconstitutional.

However, at the time of his arrest, Twyne was carrying Hornady Critical Duty ammunition in his handgun. Hornady Critical Duty ammunition uses a projectile with what Hornady calls a “Flextip” polymer filling. The projectile does not have a “hollow nose.”

Understanding that Hornady Critical Defense did not meet the definition of “hollow nose” ammunition under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3, the New Jersey State Police issued the following guidance on their Firearm FAQS website

                  I’m not a police officer, are hollow points legal for me to possess? 

Yes. They are legal for purchase and possess in your home or on land owned by you.  They are legal to possess and use at a gun range.  They are also legal to possess while traveling to and from such places. Ammunition lacking a hollow cavity at the tip, such as those with a polymer filling, are not considered to be hollow point ammunition. An example of this can be seen with the Hornady Critical Defense / Critical Duty, Cor-Bon PowRball / Glaser Safety Slug and Nosler Inc. Defense ammunition.

Ammoland.com reported that after the arrest Twyne was suspended from his job. New Jersey’s rabid anti-gun politicians don’t seem to care how many innocent, productive lives their incomprehensible web of gun control laws upend.

IN THIS ARTICLE
New Jersey ammunition ban
TRENDING NOW
DNC Goes All-In on Gun Control

News  

Monday, February 10, 2025

DNC Goes All-In on Gun Control

A couple weeks ago, we wrote about anti-gun activist David Hogg campaigning to be a Vice Chair for the Democratic National Committee (DNC).  We (somewhat) jokingly endorsed his candidacy, as it would make abundantly clear that ...

Defending the Indefensible: Court Strikes Illinois FOID Card Law

News  

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Defending the Indefensible: Court Strikes Illinois FOID Card Law

Lawmakers in Illinois have a long track record of irrational gun bans and restrictions based on the idea that public safety is best served by disarming criminals and law-abiding citizens alike, even if that means ...

Legislation Introduced to Block Credit Card Gun Registry

News  

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Legislation Introduced to Block Credit Card Gun Registry

U.S. Representatives Riley Moore (R-WV-02), Richard Hudson (R-NC-09), and Andy Barr (R-KY-06) have introduced H.R. 1181, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act. This crucial legislation would prohibit credit card companies from tracking constitutionally protected purchases ...

NRA Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order Protecting Second Amendment Rights

News  

Second Amendment  

Friday, February 7, 2025

NRA Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order Protecting Second Amendment Rights

Today, the White House announced a new Executive Order to protect and expand the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. This is the first action taken by President Donald J. Trump to carry through ...

Anti-Gun “Researchers” Face Harsh Reality

News  

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Anti-Gun “Researchers” Face Harsh Reality

The reelection of President Trump is already paying great dividends for the Second Amendment, even at this early stage.  Beyond the obvious jettisoning of the most anti-gun administration to ever occupy the White House, we saw ...

Eighth Circuit Narrows Blanket Firearm Prohibition for “Unlawful User[s]” of Drugs

News  

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Eighth Circuit Narrows Blanket Firearm Prohibition for “Unlawful User[s]” of Drugs

The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in the NRA-supported case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022) continues to play a critical role in cases related to Second Amendment rights.

The Hearing Protection Act Introduced in the 119th Congress

News  

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

The Hearing Protection Act Introduced in the 119th Congress

U.S. Representative Ben Cline (R-VA-06) and U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) recently reintroduced the Hearing Protection Act (H.R. 404/S. 364) in the 119th Congress. This commonsense legislation will give gun owners and hunters the opportunity to ...

Good News, Bad News on ATF Director Dettelbach

News  

Monday, January 6, 2025

Good News, Bad News on ATF Director Dettelbach

It’s really just good news to report that Joe Biden’s director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Steven Dettelbach, has announced his resignation.  

Virginia: Gun Control Bills Pass General Assembly, Head to Youngkin's Desk

Friday, February 14, 2025

Virginia: Gun Control Bills Pass General Assembly, Head to Youngkin's Desk

It has been a busy week in Richmond, and not for the right reasons. The House has passed a slew of anti-gun legislation, and these bills will now be transmitted to Governor Youngkin's office

New Mexico: Take Action Against Gun Control Bills Today!

Thursday, February 20, 2025

New Mexico: Take Action Against Gun Control Bills Today!

The New Mexico legislature is considering two significant bills that pose substantial threats to our Second Amendment rights: Senate Bill 279 and Senate Bill 318, which are expected to be heard before the Senate Judiciary committee in the ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

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.