TRENTON, N.J., Dec. 21 (UPI) -- A man sent to prison in New Jersey for transporting three handguns while he was moving was freed Tuesday when the governor commuted his sentence.
Brian Aitken, 27, served four months of a seven-year sentence, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported. Gov. Chris Christie, a former U.S. attorney, did not go into details on his reason for releasing Aitken, saying only that he believed "justice required a commutation."
Aitken bought the weapons legally in Colorado before moving to New Jersey. He was arrested last year, running afoul of a state law that bars drivers from having handguns in their cars without permits with certain exceptions.
Police found the guns in a box in Aitken's car, locked and unloaded. At his trial, his lawyer argued he had not violated the law because he was moving out of his parents' house.
The case attracted the attention of gun advocates across the country.
Aitken is still appealing the conviction, which remains on his record.
In an interview with WKXW-FM, known as New Jersey 101.5, Aitken said he is grateful to the governor.
"I'm home with my family now and it still hasn't hit me."
