N.J. rethinking gun law that snared Pa. permit-holder

TRENTON Three more South Jersey legislators support changing the law that mandates jail time for those caught carrying a gun in New Jersey that is not registered in the state even if they have a permit to carry the weapon legally in another state.

Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Jeff Van Drew announced he would formally introduce a bill Sept. 15 that he said he hopes will help Shaneen Allen, 27, of Philadelphia.

Allen, a single mother of two, was pulled over in October in Atlantic County for a traffic violation. When the officer asked for her license, she disclosed she had a permit and a .38-caliber gun in her purse. Allen, who has no criminal history, was charged with illegally carrying the weapon.

The proposed law, similar to one in the Assembly, would eliminate the mandatory sentence, and allows for discretionary prosecuting and sentencing.

With a few exceptions, it is illegal to bring a gun into New Jersey. Those convicted of doing so face a mandatory 31/2 years in prison. Before her arrest, Allen worked as a phlebotomist. Her attorney said she lost her job because of the arrest.

Van Drew - whose district includes Cape May, Atlantic, and Cumberland Counties - called it "absurd" to prosecute a woman with no criminal history and no knowledge that she could not legally carry the gun in New Jersey while there are "horrific criminals" who are carrying guns illegally.

"That's where we should focus our efforts," Van Drew said. He's not sure whether lawmakers will act quickly enough to help Allen. She is scheduled to go to trial in October.

"It's my hope that it would impact her positively," Van Drew said.

Allen's Eatontown attorney, Evan Nappen, said Allen thought she had acted correctly by disclosing that she had a gun, unaware of New Jersey law.

"This has already had a dramatic effect on her life," Nappen said. "It's not just the avoidance of prison. She lost her career and loses her ability to own a firearm."

In past interviews with reporters, Allen, who could not be reached Wednesday, said she purchased the gun after she was robbed and beaten in Philadelphia.

Nappen said the proposed legislation shows there is support for more reasonable laws.

Van Drew's bill is also sponsored by Sen. Christopher Connors (R., Burlington, Atlantic, and Ocean Counties) and Sen. Jim Whelan (D., Atlantic). It is similar to a bill introduced by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer (R., Ocean) in August.

- Barbara Boyer