New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s response to the shooting at the home of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas should be condemned by gun control advocates and Second Amendment supporters alike.
The handgun that Shaneen Allen was carrying when she was pulled over on a New Jersey highway could have sent her to prison for years if not for a pardon from Republican Gov. Chris Christie. Now the legal saga that kept the Pennsylvania mother of two in jail for 48 days has helped inspire a measure… Read the rest of this entry »
The U. S. House of Representatives passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 today, 231-198 with six Democrats voting ‘Aye.’ Fourteen Republicans voted against the bill, including Chris Smith and Leonard Lance of New Jersey. Congressman Frank Pallone, who along with Smith represents Monmouth County, voted against the bill.
“Today, the House took action to protect our citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in a statement. “The truth is that concealed carry laws save lives. Right now, current law creates confusion for people who cross state borders with a lawful concealed carry permit. The legislation passed by the House today ensures that people who carry their legal firearm across state borders are protected under the law.” Read the rest of this entry »
Hisashi K.D. Pompey, Marine veteran from Virginia convicted under New Jersey’s draconian gun laws of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, will not have to report to State Prison on Monday. Governor Chris Christie commuted Pompey’s sentence to time served today.
Pompey was arrested on December 16, 2011 and convicted in 2013, according to the Governor’s Order. According to published reports, Pompey brought his gun, which was licensed in his home state of Virginia, into a Fort Lee nightclub. A friend took the gun from the Marine’s holster. No shots were fired and no one was injured.
Pompey was facing a 5 year prison term with a provision that he serve a minimum of three years.
Pompey’s application for a full pardon is still under review by the Governor’s Office, according to Chief Counsel Gregory Acquaviva’s letter to his attorney, Evan Nappen of Eatontown.
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama launched his unilateral attempt to crack down on illegal gun purchases on Tuesday, blaming the “constant excuses for inaction” from Congress as justification for his exercise of executive power. But in an emotional address quoting the Bible, the Constitution and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Obama also tacitly acknowledged the… Read the rest of this entry »
TRENTON — A commission created by Gov. Chris Christie to examine New Jersey’s tough gun ownership and possession laws on Monday recommended the laws be loosened to allow broader access to those seeking to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense. The New Jersey Firearm Purchase and Permitting Study Commission was established on the eve of Christie’s… Read the rest of this entry »
TRENTON — For the second time this month, the state Assembly failed to corral enough votes to override Gov. Chris Christie’s veto of a bill that would involve police in deciding whether a person with a documented mental illness can get a gun permit. The Assembly voted 51-17 with nine abstentions, which count as no votes.… Read the rest of this entry »
A 52-year-old woman with a permit to carry a handgun in Florida could face up to 10 years in prison after being arrested in Jersey City while attempting to board a ferry to Ellis Island while carrying a gun, authorities said. Elizabeth J. Griffith, of Daytona Beach, was arrested by U.S. Park Police on July 14… Read the rest of this entry »
TRENTON — At 9:30 p.m. on the eve of his Republican presidential campaign kickoff, Gov. Chris Christie announced a change to state firearm policy on an issue that has been riling gun rights activists. The governor also signaled support for loosening New Jersey’s strict gun control laws. Reacting to the June 3 death of 39-year-old Berlin… Read the rest of this entry »
A New Jersey appeals court ruled Wednesday that merely being accused of domestic violence is enough to deny someone permission to obtain a gun and keep it at home, the New Jersey Law Journal reported. Judges John Kennedy, Amy O’Connor and Jose Fuentes denied the application of a man identified in court papers as Z.L., who… Read the rest of this entry »