CHRIS CHRISTIE’S NEW JERSEY, Where A Flintlock Pistol Can Get You A 10-Year Jail Sentence. “VanGilder is a retired teacher whose career spanned 34 years. He’s an admirer of 18th century artifacts and historical memorabilia and bought the pistol to go with his collection. The pistol featured in Simone’s report is approaching its 300-year anniversary.”

As I suggest in my Second Amendment Penumbras piece, such draconian laws — enacted to chill and denormalize gun ownership via in terrorem effects — should be regarded as in violation of the right to bear arms. I also suggest that Congress pass civil rights laws to protect citizens. I suggest setting the maximum penalty any state can assess for firearms carriage or possession by a person legally entitled to possess firearms under federal law at fifty bucks.