I agree with this writer than Shaneen Allen is not collateral damage, and the law is working as the legislature intended it, and I agree with this too:
The video above makes a case for eliminating mandatory minimums to increase a judges discretion.  That isn’t a just solution.  It would still be a crime to simply possess a firearm with no criminal intent or history.  If Shaneen shouldn’t face the penalty (I agree she shouldn’t) the state has prescribed for those who possess a firearm outside of narrow exemptions, why should any other gun owner?
But I’ve long advocated that we have to recognize reality, push for what we can get, and not let perfect be the enemy of good. The reality is that this is New Jersey: the legislature is never going to change the gun laws in the manner above, unless that change is forced on them by the courts.
But they might be able to look at the Allen case an at least agree to ease up on the law a bit so otherwise law abiding people don’t find themselves looking at years in a New Jersey prison for a mistake. In truth, even that is likely an uphill battle. It would be a huge deal if the New Jersey legislature even started looking at gun owners and said, “Not all of these people should be in prison.” That would be a sea change in attitude in the Garden State.
I’m not certain whether Dancer has any chance to even get his bill a hearing. It very well might just be a means to signal support, knowing full well it’s doomed to languish in the Democratically controlled, anti-gun legislature. But I’m inclined to support it nonetheless. Only two things are going to push New Jersey back from its current position: federal courts, or a federal legislative remedy under the 14th Amendment. That’s it.
Thanks for the link!
You comments are well received. I completely agree that change in New Jersey will likely need to come from outside the state and would never work against any law that could benefit gun owners, if even marginally. Though, I hope 2nd Amendment supporting legislators thoroughly consider any legislation they propose. The discretion exercised by New Jersey judges does not typically benefit NJ gun owners.
My solution is to NOT GO to slave states like New Jermany. Won’t knowingly do business with anyone from there.
Not everyone has that option.
How about a Gubernatorial pardon? Of course she’d have to be convicted first for that.
Someone wrote Christie’s office and his office noted that they are aware of the case, but that they couldn’t do anything until the trial is concluded.