Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I've been following the case of Shaneen Allen, the Philadelphia woman that was arrested in NJ after a traffic stop when she let the officer know she had a handgun in her purse. She had a valid PA carry license, but NJ won't recognize (and for all intensive purposes, won't grant them either). More details in the link.
I am just curious what you folks in NJ think about this case? Interestingly, the same judge that let Ray Rice do a program to avoid jail time for knocking out his wife, denied the same option for Ms. Allen. She is looking at several years in prison.
I've been following the case of Shaneen Allen, the Philadelphia woman that was arrested in NJ after a traffic stop when she let the officer know she had a handgun in her purse. She had a valid PA carry license, but NJ won't recognize (and for all intensive purposes, won't grant them either). More details in the link.
I am just curious what you folks in NJ think about this case? Interestingly, the same judge that let Ray Rice do a program to avoid jail time for knocking out his wife, denied the same option for Ms. Allen. She is looking at several years in prison.
As a supporter of the right to carry, no, but at the same time, ignorance of the law should never be a valid excuse for breaking it either. Comparing it to the Ray Rice case is a non sequitur IMO, judges are bound by certain guidelines that allow for the avoidance of jail time for certain crimes, and unfortunately in this case, I don't believe it was available. You can argue (as I would) that its wrong, but that's a question for the legislature as they are the ones who make the laws that tie the judges' hands as far as the amount of leeway they are given in cases such as these.
Unfortunately Ms. Allen is not the first person from Pennsylvania to have this happen in NJ. In a perfect world, one would be able to carry unrestricted in all 50 states, but the world is not perfect, and its incumbent upon you as a responsible firearm owner to know where you can carry and where you cannot. I get that many people want to portray this as anti-gun New Jersey lowering the boom on an otherwise law abiding citizen from gun friendly PA, but consider this. What if Ms. Allen had entered a school, courthouse, U.S. Post Office, correctional facility, or other venue in Pennsylvania where one is prohibited by law to carry by the state of Pennsylvania while carrying a firearm and was charged? Would there still be such an outcry?
If she knew that she had to tell the officer about the weapon she should have known that there are 10 states where her CCW permit is not legal including the state right next door to PA. She is also charged with having the gun loaded with armor penetrating bullets. That is a big issue as they are illegal in NJ.
NJ activist judges and prosecutors will slash and burn administrative violatiors and flail around their mandatory 3 yr sentences/graves act, in a frantic effort to discourage legal gun ownership in NJ.
Meanwhile, known gang members, actually wearing labels and riding down highways and the source of 99% of NJ's violent crimes sail by unscathed.
Nj has gone after law abiding citizens who made an oops and let's a famous BB player walk after shooting his chauffer.
Gang members selling drugs and guns welcome in NJ!
All others abandon all hope when you cross the Deleware or Hudson.
I agreed with Badfish on the fact that ignorance of the law shouldn't be an excuse for breaking it. One of the real issues, if you have watched the video on the NRA site, is that this really is a common occurrence. Evan Nappen (Ms. Allen's attorney), who is one of the foremost authorities on gun law, mentioned that he had a handful of other cases he was currently defending on the same issue.
There is a point where reciprocity between the states is more than just a "convenience", but the root of the issues lies with NJ's refusal to allow any civilian carry aside from ex-LEO, even were proper training and renewal testing protocols to be put into place. There are several cases where victims of repeat physical crimes, sometimes by the same criminal, have requested carry permits in NJ for protection and been denied. Being a PI in New Jersey doesn't even allow the ability to carry, though the job may carry certain inherent dangers, and request for a permit is met with denial. Until the internal carry laws and procedures for citizens in NJ because reasonable, there is no chance of reciprocity of other state CCW permits.
If she knew that she had to tell the officer about the weapon she should have known that there are 10 states where her CCW permit is not legal including the state right next door to PA. She is also charged with having the gun loaded with armor penetrating bullets. That is a big issue as they are illegal in NJ.
She didn't "have" to tell him anything. She volunteered, which unfortunately for her, didn't end well. Not sure what you're talking about in regard to "armor piercing" bullets. I'm assuming you mean hollow-points, which EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE in the US carries in defensive handguns, except in NJ where even if you get a permit, you can't carry them. Have to admit, even good 'ol Massachusetts is a bastion of freedom compared to NJ.
Believe me, I stay out of NJ as much as possible (and my $), but when I do I leave my gun at home to stay out of jail. The 2nd Amendment isn't recognized there...at all.
This was so easy to avoid you take out the ammo put it in a box put the box and the gun in the trunk separate and keep driving just like cell phone if it's in the trunk its a non issue
She now needs a lawyer and as real good attitude to beat this
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.