A family in New Jersey is considering taking legal action after having their home raided by police and state officials responding to a photo they posted on Facebook. Fox News reported on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, that the photo posted on Facebook was of an 11-year-old boy posing with a rifle.
"Someone called family services about the photo," said Evan Nappen, an attorney representing Shawn Moore. "It led to an incredible, heavy-handed raid on his house. They wanted to see his gun safe, his guns and search his house. They even threatened to take his kids."
Shawn Moore was not arrested or charged in the incident, but it is far from over.
A spokesperson for the Department of Children and Families told Fox News that they could neither confirm nor deny an investigation or raid had taken place at any time.
"The department has a child abuse hotline for the state of New Jersey and anybody can make a call to that hotline," spokesperson Kristen Brown said. "We are required to follow up on every single allegation that comes into the central registry."
Moore is a certified firearms instructor for the National Rifle Association, a range safety officer for the NRA, and a New Jersey hunted education instructor.
The photo posted on Facebook showed Moore's 11-year-old son wearing a camouflage outfit and holding a .22 rifle. The child actually has a New Jersey hunting license and even recently passed the state's hunter safety course.
"If you look at the picture, his finger isn’t even on the trigger – which is proper," Nappen told Fox News. "If half of Hollywood could follow that rule we’d be thankful."
Moore was advised later on Saturday night when he got an urgent text message from his wife saying that there was a raid on their home looking for their guns. Moore had Nappen on his cell phone and immediately handed the phone to officers upon his arrival at home.
"If you have a warrant, you’re coming in," Nappen told the officers. "If you don’t, then you’re not. That’s what privacy is all about."
Nappen said that legal action is being considered against the state.
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