Christie issues guidelines to streamline gun permit process

TRENTON, N.J. -- Gov. Chris Christie's administration has changed the rules to streamline the gun permit process for New Jersey residents.

Christie announced regulatory changes and new guidelines on Friday, a little over three months after the New Jersey Firearm Purchase and Permitting Study Commission that he created issued the recommendations.

"I have seen far too many instances in my time as governor of otherwise lawful gun owners facing severe criminal penalties when they have no intent to violate the law in the routine transport of their lawfully owned firearms," Christie said in a statement.

The changes include an update to the "justifiable need" standard required under the state's strict gun laws. It adds "serious threats" to the list of circumstances that could show danger to a permit applicant's life.

Other changes include adding to the list of detours gun owners may make while transporting weapons and a directive from the attorney general requiring licensing authorities to follow the state's 30-day deadline for processing.

The panel was created after Berlin resident Carol Bowne, whose firearm permit application was delayed beyond the statutory limit, was stabbed to death by an ex-boyfriend who later killed himself.

Christie created the panel by executive order in June before launching his presidential campaign, which he later quit after a poor finish in New Hampshire.

The regulatory changes and administrative guidelines mean Christie is going around the Democrat-controlled Legislature, which has favored stricter gun legislation.

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4/8/2016 4:03:02 PM (GMT -4:00)