'No one helped her': NJ woman murdered by ex while awaiting gun permit

[Ban Hammer 12,835]

Carol Bowne knew her best shot at defending herself from a violent ex was a gun, and not a piece of paper. And it was paperwork that left her unprotected when Michael Eitel showed up at her New Jersey home last week and stabbed her to death, say Second Amendment advocates, who charge local police routinely sit on firearms applications they are supposed to rule on within 30 days.

Bowne, 39, had a restraining order against Eitel when he killed her in her driveway last Wednesday, but she was still waiting for Berlin Township Police Chief Leonard Check to approve the gun permit she had applied for on April 21. Tragically, she had gone to the township police department just two days before her death to check on the status of her languishing application. In another indication of her fear of Eitel, Bowne had recently installed surveillance cameras around her home, and the equipment recorded the 45-year-old ex-con attacking her as she arrived home and got out of her car.

“She should have been granted that permit in a timely matter, especially given her status as a domestic violence victim,” said Evan Nappen, a New Jersey-based attorney who specializes in Second Amendment cases.

“Carol would have qualified for a permit since she was attacked; only now it’s too late.”

- Evan Nappen, New Jersey-based attorney and gun rights advocate

New Jersey's gun laws are among the nation's strictest, but law-abiding citizens are eligible to purchase and possess handguns after filling out forms available at their local police stations, submitting to a background check on any possible criminal history or mental health issues, giving fingerprints and paying a fee. Once those steps are taken, local police conduct a 14-point investigation and the chief is supposed to approve or deny for cause within 30 days.

Check did not return requests for comment, but gun rights advocates say it is not unusual for Garden State police chiefs to take several months to approve handgun permits for qualified applicants.

“The gun law’s intention is to be as difficult and cumbersome as possible,” Alexander Roubian, president of the New Jersey Second Amendment Society, told FoxNews.com. “They need to be repealed.

“The system is so outdated," Roubian continued. "In most states, you go to the store, get a background check, and purchase a weapon. A police chief should have no part of the process. This woman had a legitimate issue and no one helped her.”

A manhunt for Eitel, who had done time on a kidnapping conviction and had repeatedly threatened Bowne, began shortly after the murder and ended Saturday, when he was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot in another ex-girlfriend's garage.

Bowne's case prompted state senators Dawn Addiego, Diane Allen and Jennifer Beck to announce plans to introduce a bill that will fast-track the handgun permit process for applicants who have obtained a restraining order.

“The tragic murder of Carol Bowne shows that there are sensible changes we should make to public safety laws to help people protect themselves,” said Addiego, a Republican whose district is in southern New Jersey. “This legislation will make sure that those who need protection the most are given priority when it comes to the lengthy process of applying for a firearms permit.”

However, Nappen said even if Bowne had obtained her permit and used a gun to protect herself, she could theoretically be facing charges today because she would not have been allowed to legally carry the gun outside with her.

“New Jersey does not allow law-abiding citizens to get a carry license,” Nappen said.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/06/10/no-one-helped-her-nj-woman-murdered-by-ex-while-waiting-for-gun-permit/#

[Póg mo 1,749]

Having a gun, may not have prevented her death. Are stun guns or pepper spray illegal in New York?

[Ban Hammer 12,835]

Having a gun, may not have prevented her death. Are stun guns or pepper spray illegal in New York?

this took place in new jersey, not new york.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Having a gun, may not have prevented her death. Are stun guns or pepper spray illegal in New York?

That restraining order sure worked out for her ... That police officer must have gone down to the donut shop who was protecting her .... Think she had one posted outside her home .....She was on her own with nothing but a paper from the court.

“New Jersey does not allow law-abiding citizens to get a carry license

[Sousuke 1,214]

Having a gun, may not have prevented her death. Are stun guns or pepper spray illegal in New York?

Stun guns are also illegal in NJ.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Stun guns are also illegal in NJ.

Cannot make it too hard on a thug trying to kill you. He's got rights too you know .

[decocker 7,198]

why was the guy who killed her free? had he been rehabilitated from his dabbles in kidnapping or just served a bit of time and out on time served? i'm not saying this woman shouldn't have been allowed to buy a gun, i just think that the fault should lie soley with the murderer and maybe a little bit of fault should go to our lovely justice system - which does nothing to rehabilitate and has been known to keep non-violent offenders imprisoned much longer than repeat domestic violence offenders..

Edited June 12, 2015 by val erie

[Boiler 43,430]

She sacrificed for the greater good.

We should honour her.

Edited June 12, 2015 by Boiler

[lostinblue 1,989]

She sacrificed for the greater good.

We should honour her.

The streets in NJ are a lot safer that she was not allowed to own a weapon .

[Boiler 43,430]

If she had a gun she would have probably shot herself by mistake anyway, so what difference does it make?

[GandD 5,966]

If she had a gun she would have probably shot herself by mistake anyway, so what difference does it make?

I think you're supposed to put it in red, not italics.

[Boiler 43,430]

If she had a gun she would have probably shot herself by mistake anyway, so what difference does it make?

Better?

[decocker 7,198]

ok so i guess the only thing we can take away from her murder is that murica's 2nd amendment rights are STILL being trampled.

derp.

I think you're supposed to put it in red, not italics.

cosmic sans.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

If she had a gun she would have probably shot herself by mistake anyway, so what difference does it make?

I'm disappointed in the VJ anti legal gun ownership crew. I would have expected someone to have made a statement like this immediately.

[decocker 7,198]

I'm disappointed in the VJ anti legal gun ownership crew. I would have expected someone to have made a statement like this immediately.

america has to have legal gun ownership, there are just too many guns floating about this country to even start to consider taking away the average citizen's right to protect themselves.