Considering this is the PR of NJ, doesn't it seem at least a little bit probable that some of the more salient and damning details of this incident might have been "cooked," tinfoil beanie or otherwise?
If one out of every four guns had ammo in it, why pick up the EMPTY Garand?
It's possible that this A) never happened or B) the guy was attempting to salvage the weapon, etc. and the hoplophobic minions interpreted this as the actions of a madman.
Making someone a criminal is any easy way to ensure enforced conformity to an unpalatable agenda. Devotees of Ayn Rand (as many here seem to be) should remember as much from "Atlas Shrugged."