This sucks. It just does. This lady did what she was supposed to do and got herself some training, but then apparently made a costly mistake and now faces serious charges and jail time. Basically she’s a PA permit holder, but she got busted carrying in New Jersey. Here’s the link:
“Honest Gun-Owning Mom Busted in NJ Could Get Three Years in Prison” By Bill Anderson, My9NJ.com (July 11, 2014)
Now, I realize it was 100% her responsibility to educate herself on the limits of her CCW, and she failed to do that. However, she also took a CCW class from somebody. And either she wasn’t paying attention in class, or her instructor didn’t say anything about the perils of crossing state lines. Either way, to all my fellow CCW/HCP instructors out there, we have to take pride in the service we provide. Give students complete and thorough information, including laws on reciprocity and interaction with law enforcement. I have heard some horror stories about CCW training providers in Mississippi who take their students out back for some tin-can-popping and war-story-swapping and then hand them a concealed carry certificate. Not cool. At all. If we’re going call ourselves trainers, and we’re going to accept people’s money and lull them into trusting that we will properly educate them, then we have to do exactly that.
That being said, this photo doesn’t exactly help her cause. I’ve already mentioned my misgivings about those “hey look at me and my gun” photos. The pic also gives me a few more clues about how (in)effective her training might have been (and again, that could be due to poor teaching, poor learning, or any number of other reasons). 
Last that I heard from NJ, a hollowpoint is levied a fine of $1,000. That’s EACH single round!!!
Let’s see, umm, a G-17 with three mags (with +2 bases) equals $58K in fines, just for your ammo! OUCH!!! Talk about adding insult to injury!
Even in all caps, “ouch” is an understatement, I’d say!
I’m totally sympathetic for the lady involved in this case but abhor the screen grab of the “hot chic with a gun”. While posting such pictures of ones self aren’t necessarily illegal (dependent upon locational gun laws) but its assuredly imprudent. Has any information pertaining to a legal fees donation been posted regarding this yet?
Hey SportPilot! I haven’t seen anything, but I’ll check and see what I can find out! Anybody else know about that?
I’m wondering what ever became of intent?
If this woman had been educated and warned, her pistol locked up in the trunk, and she had been sent on her way home, would New Jersey society (yeah, I know: a stretch) have been harmed in any way? Instead, the cop’s and courts resources are squandered on a non-crime.
I’m old enough to remember the cops scaring the beejeebus out of me for something I never did again.
If this woman serves time, it’s a travesty of justice – and perfectly legal.
I’ve been following that one too. It’s also all too common down in Washington DC where people try to take their guns into the Smithsonians or other public buildings and tel security that it’s ok because they have a permit from their home state. Happens once every couple of weeks and you’d think that everyone would know that you can’t take handguns into the District of Columbia, but sometimes life lessons are expensive.
And of course DC Superior Court typically knocks them down to misdemeanors and lets the person plead out to a no-jail sentence and forfeit the weapon.
Among the printed material all my students leave the class with are a sheet with the 4 safety rules and a list of which states do (and do not) recognize a Tennessee HCP. I also recommend “don’t ask/don’t tell” when stopped by law enforcement (if the officer doesn’t ask, don’t volunteer the info).
. And you’re right, I will be surprised if that picture isn’t introduced against her in court. NJ isn’t famous for giving gun owners breaks in court.
On my side of the state it’s particularly interesting, because we’re right at the corner of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and they all have different laws despite reciprocity. It’s conceivable that a robust shopping trip (if I were a shopper, which I’m not) could take me to all three states in one day. And in Arkansas, you are statutorily required to inform law enforcement of your CCW status if you’re pulled over (whereas of course in Tennessee you’re not). Hard to keep track of it all! -tgj
The topic of interaction with Police Officers is a number of posts all by itself. Illinois mandates that you respond to the officer if asked. I have always advised openly volunteering the information in a nonthreatening manner to further defuse the issue. However, the other night a Justice from the Illinois Appellate Court at a social gathering told me he advised not volunteering the information since he had seen so many “volunteered” statements to police officers turned against the maker. Now I am not so sure on my advice and reflected that split opinion to my students this past weekend.
Having lived in PA it is hard for most Keystone residents to imagine how very different the laws between the two states are. In PA you get a CCW at the sheriffs office if you pass a background check and have 19 dollars and change. There is no training required.
Charles Barkley was busted for the same thing when he played for the 76′ers. She could face additional charges for any hollow point ammunition she has.
They let Sir Charles skate, maybe if she has good consul she will too!
So, she actually went above and beyond her legal obligations by getting any training at all…