Facebook Photo Raid: Why Police Reacted To Picture Of 10-Year-Old Josh Moore Holding Rifle

When Shawn Moore of Carneys Point, N.J., posted a photo on Facebook of his 10-year-old son Josh holding an assault rifle, all satisfied smiles, he had no idea it would spark an online controversy like no other.

The 11th birthday of Josh was coming, and the rifle, a .22 caliber that looked more like a military weapon, was an early present. The Moores are a hunting family, and this was supposed to be the initiation of Josh into the tradition.

But on Friday night, while Moore was at a friend's house, he received a phone call from his wife saying that the police and children's welfare agents were at the house. Moore called his lawyer and rushed home. Police asked to see the man's gun collection, Moore refused since they did not have a warrant and he knew they were acting against the law.

"In New Jersey, your guns don't have to be registered with the state, it's voluntary," he said.

Moore's lawyer, even Nappen, stated that the raid violated at least three amendments because Moore was simply exercising his freedom of speech rights online, and his gun and privacy rights at home.

Police stated that someone called the anonymous child abuse line and then reacted promptly.

"In light of some of the recent school shootings across our nation, the Carneys Point Police Department takes these types of calls seriously," said the mayor of Carneys Point in a statement. Police explained that it was their job to visit the house to accompany members of child protection services.

The fact that police had not seen the photo upset Moore even more.

"Anyone who knows firearm safety immediately recognizes that this boy is trained because his finger is not in the trigger," he said.

Josh has, indeed, been trained in shooting and handling firearms since he was a little boy.

"I have been shooting guns since I was 5. I am a pretty good shooter and a pretty good hunter."

Napper sees a bigger issue that is invasion of privacy.

"There is a cultural issue with guns at the moment that now changes something that would have been an innocent picture and turns it into an alarming event that requires a nighttime raid."

The authorities said Moore is not facing charges.