Ok here comes the Libertarian in me...
Didn't we just see a court decision somewhere that dealt with First Amendment issues and firearms.
I have a Local 81 "support shirt" does that make me a "known associate"?
If she was wearing a shirt for another alleged criminal enterprise, a group of guys bent on making peoples lives miserable by intimidation, threats of force, extortion, who as a group have a history that their individual members have committed crimes, lets say that shirt said " SUPPORT THE NYPD" , she would have been given the weapon back on the spot.
She was licensed, she owned up on the spot, there was no criminal intent. If she was willing to submit to a "Troop E Breathalyzer Test" they would have given her a few boxes of ammo back with the gun. Was she stupid, yes, was she a legal gun owner, yes, is this a BS charge to get her to flip on her friends or just busting her for being a supporter, probably.
I am not condoning her leaving the weapon behind, she has a responsibility to protect her weapon, but this is surely a prosecution and persecution that violates her right to free expression and freedom of association.
How many cops have lost a gun, or left one behind in a mens room? Lots! A Deputy Sheriff from Plymouth County MA left one in a mens room in Marshfield a while back, he was not even slapped on the wrist IIRC.