BURLINGTON COUNTY — Brian Aitken, the 27-year-old cause celebre for gun advocates nationwide, was released from prison this morning after his sentence was commuted by Gov. Chris Christie.

The National Rifle Association cheered the decision.



"On behalf of the 4 million members of the National Rifle Association of America, I would like to thank Governor Christie for freeing Brian Aitken in time to spend the holiday with his family," Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement.



Cox called for changes to New Jersey's gun laws, which are among the strictest in the country.



"While Governor Christie's grant of clemency was absolutely the right thing to do, Brian Aitken's case is just one example of how New Jersey's ridiculous gun laws turn law-abiding gun owners into criminals," Cox said in his statement. "There is a serious need to reform New Jersey's gun laws so that the full weight of the state's law enforcement and legal system falls squarely on the shoulders of criminals, not on people like Brian Aitken."

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:



• Gov. Chris Christie commutes sentence of man convicted of having guns in N.J. illegally

• Paul Mulshine: Gun advocates ask if Christie's a straight shooter



• Paul Mulshine: More on the Brian Aitken front: Christie considering a pardon

Aitken was visiting his mother in January 2009 when she became worried about his well-being and called the police. Officers found three unloaded handguns and ammunition in the trunk of his car and arrested Aitken on weapons charges.

Although the guns had been legally purchased in Colorado, Aitken was sentenced to seven years in prison. He would have been eligible for parole after three years.

Christie commuted Aitken's sentence Monday, shortening it to time served. It was the first time he has commuted a sentence since taking office almost a year ago.

"The governor has reviewed all the facts of Brian Aitken's case and has commuted his sentence to time served," Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said Monday. "Considering both Aitken's offense and punishment, the governor believes this is the most compassionate and just solution."

Aitken was being held at the Mid-State Correctional Annex, which is located on Fort Dix. He declined comment through a spokesman for the Department of Corrections.

• Read the governor's commutation order

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correctly state the number of handguns found in Aitken's trunk. There were three.