Q: I’ve seen people doing different things while the national anthem is being played. What is the proper way to salute the flag during the national anthem?
—Eddie Webster, Douglasville
A: People not in uniform, and who are not a veteran or active duty military personnel, should stand at attention and face the flag with their right hand over their heart during the national anthem, according to the Flag Code, which is part of U.S. Code (Title 36). Men wearing a hat and not in uniform should remove it with their "right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart." Women don't have to remove their hats.
People in uniform “should render the military salute” throughout the entire anthem. Veterans and military personnel not in uniform are allowed to render the military-style salute during the national anthem, according to the Defense Authorization Act of 2009.
Q: What is the status of the Pennsylvania woman with a license to carry from that state who was arrested in New Jersey for having a firearm? She was facing a lengthy prison term.
—Jim Siegendorf, Jefferson
A: Shaneen Allen was admitted to a pretrial intervention program that will allow her to avoid jail time for violating New Jersey's gun laws. She was facing three to five years for having a loaded .380 Bersa Thunder handgun in her purse after volunteering that information to police while stopped for a traffic violation in New Jersey last October.
Even though Allen has a license-to-carry permit from Pennsylvania, New Jersey doesn’t recognize carry permits from other states, NJ.com reported.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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