Shaneen Allen case inspires proposal for discretion in gun cases

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- A Republican lawmaker says he has introduced a bill that would give discretion to New Jersey judges dealing with out-of-state gun owners.

Assemblyman Ronald Dancer introduced "Shaneen's Law" in response to the case of Shaneen Allen. The Pennsylvania mother faces charges for carrying a gun in New Jersey. She is legally allowed to carry the gun in Pennsylvania.

Dancer says current laws impose a minimum three-and-a-half-year sentence on out-of-state residents violating New Jersey's gun laws. He says it's unreasonable for people to know the gun laws in each state.

Dancer says the proposed bill would give judges discretion when dealing with out-of-state residents if they don't have a criminal record, aren't associated with street gangs and are in compliance with their home state's gun laws.

Allen was charged last October following a traffic stop on the Atlantic City Expressway.

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