bowne Michael Eitel
At left, Carol Bowne, 39, who was fatally stabbed outside her Berlin home late Wednesday. Right, Michael Eitel, 45, an ex-boyfriend of Bowne's, is sought in connection with the incident.
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Thirty days. Or is it two to three months?
Berlin Township police Chief Leonard Check said at his department, it's the latter when it comes to approving firearms permits and involves multiple organizations coordinating to give the green light.
Scott Bach, the executive director of the Sussex County-headquartered Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs, couldn't stress the former time frame enough.
"Permitting authorities are notorious for violating state-mandated time frames," said Bach, citing state criminal code that requires an application be granted within 30 days.
Either way, when Carol Bowne was fatally stabbed by an ex-boyfriend late Wednesday night just outside her Berlin home, she had been waiting since mid April.
Although the 39-year-old longtime hair stylist had filed a restraining order against suspect Michael Eitel, 45, the man allegedly attacked her shortly after 10 p.m. upon Bowne's arrival at her Patton Avenue home.
The Camden County Prosecutor's Office, who is aiding in the search for the suspect who remains at large, did not plan to release additional information pertaining to the case on Friday.
According to reports, Bowne submitted her application for a gun license on April 21 and went to see where the process stood two days before her death. Reports also indicate the police department had not yet received the results of her fingerprinting.
Check said Friday that he did not wish to discuss circumstances surrounding Bowne's application.
For first-time gun ownership applicants in New Jersey, a person must go to their local police station, take home forms to be filled out, submit to background investigations regarding their criminal history and mental health, be fingerprinted, pay pertaining fees and submit contact information for references. Police will then conduct a 14-point investigation and give an approval within 30 days.
At least that's how it's supposed to work, Bach said.
"This woman's life was tragically taken because of New Jersey gun laws," said Bach.
Check said fingerprinting is done by an outside party, not just at his department, but for anyone in New Jersey seeking a license for occupations such as being a bus driver. Berlin police also mail out reference check forms with a cover letter and set of questions pertaining to the applicant.
What if the recipient waits a week before filling out the form and mailing it back, Check posed.
In all, the 2- to 3-month timeline may be a little shorter, but usually longer, the chief said, noting that he was not aware of any 30-day constraint for his department to sign off on an application when asked about the state statute.
"Law enforcement agencies can't let these applications languish," said Bach, adding that "moving pieces" in the process like the ones Check noted shouldn't be to blame. "It really should be instant."
According to Bach, the "vast majority" of states presume that if you can pass a criminal and mental background check conducted within minutes at the point of sale at a gun shop, then you can own one.
That check is done through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database overseen by the FBI. Potential customers also fill out federal paperwork at the store prior to any purchase.
Touching on previous cases where people faced jail time for improper transportation of weapons, Bach also went on to say that the only places in New Jersey a legal gun owner can have their weapon with them is at the gun store, a target range or while in transit to either of those two destinations.
Asked if Bowne had brandished a weapon during her fatal encounter, Bach said New Jersey residents can also have the weapon with them so long as they are on property owned, used or possessed.
"The bottom line is if you have access to a firearm, at least you have a fighting chance," Bach said.
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Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.