Shaneen Allen, Victim Of NJ Gun Politics, Get Pardoned By Gov Chris Christie

Apr 2, 2015 | 0 comments

CHRIS CHRISTIE PARDONS CONCEALED CARRY OWNER SHANEEN ALLEN

by CHARLIE SPIERING via Breitbart 

 

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has pardoned Shaneen Allen, a mother of two and concealed carry permit owner who was arrested in New Jersey for carrying a weapon in her car.

 

Allen, a resident of Pennsylvania, had a concealed carry permit and a lawfully registered handgun while she was traveling through New Jersey, when she was pulled over by a New Jersey police officer for making an unsafe lane change.

 

She informed the officer of the handgun in her car, unaware that it was illegal in the state of New Jersey. Because of the misunderstanding, she was arrested and faced felony prosecution.

 

Allen’s case became a cause for gun rights activists, such as the National Rifle Association. Executive vice president of the National Rifle Association Wayne LaPierre celebrated the news in a statement to Breitbart News.

 

“This ends a vulgar chapter in an endless series of shameful episodes where political opportunists seek nothing but their own advantage. I compliment Gov. Christie for doing the right thing,” he said.

Good on Gov Christie for making this right, in what was purely a politically motivated indictment. Obviously, she broke NJ law; there is no denying that.

However, it was also clear that this woman and her children were not intent on doing anything dangerous with her concealed carry weapon as they traveled through NJ.

Shaneen Allen had a legal Pennsylvania permit to carry the gun, which means she had gone through the training and background checks. It was her mistake to be ignorant to reciprocity laws they got her in trouble.

All that being said, there was no reason to drag this case out and try to make an example out of her as Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain tried to do.

His political motivation to make this a high profile case by setting an example of a zero tolerance gun policy in his district punished this woman far beyond what was necessary.

Finally, Gov Christie had enough of the politics and officially pardoned her today. Many would have liked to have seen this happen sooner, but Christie pointed out that he had to give the justice system an opportunity to do this correctly. Which we can respect.