[y04185]

If your driver's license is good in other states you concealed carry permit should be good also.

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Fearing for her safety and that of her two young children, 27-year old Shaneen Allen, a single mother, decided to exercise her Second Amendment rights and got a gun at the suggestion of one of her family members. She said, “One of my family members, he thought it was appropriate for me to get one because I’m a single mother and I have two children and I work two jobs and I work late and getting up at that time of night I got robbed twice last year and he felt the need for me to get my license to protect me and my kids.” So, she did just that, following all the appropriate steps.

She took a gun safety class. She applied for and obtained a concealed carry permit. Then, she purchased her gun. My9NJ reports that, despite following proper protocol, Allen is now facing a mandatory 3 years in prison. Her crime was that she accidentally crossed over into New Jersey, where her gun permit was not valid.

Allen is from Pennsylvania and didn’t realize her gun permit did not transfer over into carrying in other states. Her honesty when stopped by a police officer for a minor traffic violation could lead to her facing a second-degree felony charge and being forced to serve at least three-years in state prison.

“The judge tried to tell me that telling the truth messed me up, my life up and the cop said the same thing. Me opening my mouth and speaking out he said I’m one out of ten people that spoke up and was honest and that got me in trouble,” she said.

Allen was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of hallow-point bullets which were in the gun. Under New Jersey gun laws, the illegal possession of a gun is a second-degree felony which holds a minimum sentence of three-years in prison.

Unfortunately, New Jersey law does not allow much discretion on the part of the judge. Her attorney, Evan Nappen, said, “We’re talking about a law-abiding, licensed person who did nothing wrong. She is now facing a three-years minimum mandatory, where the judge has no discretion, in state’s prison.”

According to the news report, there is an option that would allow Shaneen Allen to avoid jail time, which would also prevent the young children from losing their mother for three years. The state has a diversionary program that gives first time offenders a chance to keep their lives on track without the stigma of a criminal conviction. Given the fact that Allen has no criminal record and this was an innocent mistake brought about by her own honesty, one would think her admittance into the program would be a no-brainer. But, the Atlantic County Prosecutor has denied her entry into the program.

[Lonewolf]

It's not however it is called in about 30 statea

[CU1994]

She won't face any time in jail. I'm confused though, if crossing over into NJ was an accident, why did it matter if she did not know PA and NJ were not reciprocal? If she didn't know, she should have, I've had a PA conceal carry permit for almost 20 years and the first thing they tell you is to know the laws in any state you may come in contact with. Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law.

[soflorattler]

She won't face any time in jail. I'm confused though, if crossing over into NJ was an accident, why did it matter if she did not know PA and NJ were not reciprocal? If she didn't know, she should have, I've had a PA conceal carry permit for almost 20 years and the first thing they tell you is to know the laws in any state you may come in contact with. Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law.

Couldn't agree more. It's not like info isn't out there. And the instructors tell you that (or should) not all states recognize your license. However, her honesty should carry some weight, and that this wasn't in relation to any criminal intent, or that she had a criminal background. Judge should use judicial descretion and lean toward giving her a small fine and calling it a day...

[y04185]

She won't face any time in jail. I'm confused though, if crossing over into NJ was an accident, why did it matter if she did not know PA and NJ were not reciprocal? If she didn't know, she should have, I've had a PA conceal carry permit for almost 20 years and the first thing they tell you is to know the laws in any state you may come in contact with. Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law.

Not according the the prosecutor.  He didn't approve the diversion program.

I will agree that she should have known.  Some states list the states that honor their concealed carry permits.  I hope she wins her case.

[WileECoyote06]

She won't face any time in jail. I'm confused though, if crossing over into NJ was an accident, why did it matter if she did not know PA and NJ were not reciprocal? If she didn't know, she should have, I've had a PA conceal carry permit for almost 20 years and the first thing they tell you is to know the laws in any state you may come in contact with. Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law.

Not according the the prosecutor.  He didn't approve the diversion program.

I will agree that she should have known.  Some states list the states that honor their concealed carry permits.  I hope she wins her case.

How can she win?  The punishment is mandatory, since the officer made the charge.  Her best bet is to be entered into the first-time offenders program or to have her sentence pardoned.

Now the officer is a complete douche for not using his discretion.