Hi, and thank you.
I am writing a novel in which the protagonist, a 21-year-old college student from Northern NJ, is given a Beretta by her father after she is sexually assaulted. I need her character to be stopped on I-95 in Jersey by state police for speeding, then for the cop to spy the Beretta in the glove compartment when she reaches into it for her registration.
Backstory: Her father wants her to have the handgun for self defense. At the point in the story where she gets pulled over for speeding, she has only use the Beretta at her local firing range. She has grown up going to the range for clay pigeon shooting, so is not averse to guns, and in fact carries this handgun in her backpack and her car's glove compartment. Her attachment to the gun is more sentimental than practical because it was her mother's before her mother died.
So -- I'm not a troll, I'm a writer trying to research. Thought folks might remember the atmosphere around people carrying handguns back in 1990, as it feels more polarized now? I think my protagonist will get in trouble for not having a permit to carry, even in 1990, and for not having her gun license on her. But not sure of the penalties. Any input is appreciated!