Ginny Simone of NRA News just released a special report video reporting on Shaneen’s Law, a bill recently proposed in the New Jersey state legislature in response to the arrest of Shaneen Allen.
In June, Allen, a Pennsylvania resident who held a concealed carry permit in her home state, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of hollow-point bullets when she crossed into New Jersey. If convicted, Allen will be slapped with a second-degree felony and a mandatory minimum prison sentence of three years.
The short video by the National Rifle Association focuses on the efforts of New Jersey Assemblyman Ron Dancer (R), who introduced Shaneen’s Law in the legislature. The law would allow individuals who are legally registered and permitted to carry a firearm in their own state to do so in New Jersey.
“The public need right now is that we need to amend what is known as the Grave’s Act in the state of New Jersey, where there is this mandatory sentencing, so that an individual is not going to be faced with mandatory prison time with no criminal record,” Dancer said. “The public need is to right the wrong.”
The video points out the ludicrousness of a statute which imposes a mandatory minimum sentence and strips judges of the ability to exercise discretion in sentencing.
“It’s a dumb statute. And if she’s convicted, the judge has no discretion,” said Republican Assemblyman Michel Carrol. “There is just no logical reason for doing that except that if you are in New Jersey and you have a weapon you are presumptively guilty of something. Congratulations, you’re a felon.”
Supporters of Shaneen’s Law argue that “an average person who obeys the law should not have to go through witch hunts” and characterize the legislation as protecting the constitutional rights of individuals. They say that the law would help to balance the power of the prosecutor and judge, arguing that the current system favors the prosecutor because it limits judicial discretion.
Watch the video below:
