Man couldn’t understand why he’s being sent to prison for carrying guns

A man authorities said seemed to fantasize about being law enforcement — arrested this summer after walking through Morristown’s Headquarters Plaza with two Glock 9 mm handguns, a bullet-proof, a police baton, fake badge and handcuffs — has been sentenced to three years in jail.

According to a report by MorristownGreen.com, 27-year-old Andrew Pfitzenmayer, asked Superior Court Judge Salem Ahto Monday, “You’re sentencing me to prison? In normal language… why?” His attorney had asked the judge to give Pfitzenmayer, saying Pfitzenmayer had a clean record and a learning disability that made it difficult for him to understand he'd broken the law.

According to the report, Ahto said he had difficulty accepting Pfitzenmayer's story that he didn't realize there'd be a problem bringing the weapons and other materials to a complex that includes a daycare center, offices, movies, restaurants and a hotel, on his way to a gun range in Randolph. Authorities have said they became aware of Pfitzenmayer when he started asking about a Secret Service office in the complex.

As part of a plea deal announced in October by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, a charge relating to the illegal hollow-point ammunition was dropped, and Pfitzenmayer pled guilty to one count of carrying a Glock handgun without a permit, a second-degree crime. He had obtained his guns legally, authorities have said.

He will be eligible for parole in one year.

"This case demonstrates how important it is for everyone to be alert to their surroundings at all times," Morris County Prosecutor Frederic M. Knapp said in a statement released Tuesday. "We greatly appreciate the efforts of Headquarters Plaza Security, the Morristown Bureau of Police and other law enforcement agencies which acted so quickly to prevent any possible further criminal activity.”