By LEO STRUPCZEWSKI
Courier-Post Staff
December 7, 2006
A vocal group opposed to gun violence said Wednesday it will press federal and state officials to prosecute the Gloucester Township man who posted bail after being arrested on a slew of weapons charges.
"We'll do what we can to make sure he has the book thrown at him," said Bryan Miller, executive director of Ceasefire NJ.
Police on Tuesday charged Daniel Manson, 52, with possession of three assault weapons, possession of high-capacity magazines, possession of a defaced firearm and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Manson, of the 1400 block of Williamstown Road, was also charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute.
He posted bail Tuesday night, police said.
During a search of Manson's home, investigators found three illegal assault weapons, including a 9mm Uzi, a 9mm Intratec, and an SKS assault rifle. Police also found a .22-caliber handgun with its serial number scratched off, 36 other guns, a switchblade knife, more than $100,000 in cash, and drugs.
Miller said scratching a serial number off a gun is a federal offense and simply owning an assault weapon is illegal in New Jersey. His organization will lobby for Manson to be prosecuted to the fullest extent at both the state and federal levels.
Repeated calls to Manson's home were not returned.
Officers originally responded to a burglar alarm and found the arsenal in a subsequent search.
Police found Manson standing in his yard with a handgun in his pants waistband early Tuesday morning. He had chased two burglars from his house, firing two warning shots into the ground, Manson told police.
He also told police the men jumped a fence into a neighboring yard and got away. Police said they have not been able to confirm anyone was at the house, and they have been unable to find signs of forced entry.
"The thing that burglars want most are guns," Miller said. "A gun that is not legally purchased, which can't be traced, is worth a lot of money on the street. It's one-stop shopping with a guy like this."
Reach Leo Strupczewski at (856) 317-7828 or lstrupczewski@courierpostonline.com
Published: December 07. 2006 3:10AM
