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New Jersey state Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, center (D-West Deptford) answers a question as he stands with union members, June 9, in Trenton. Earlier that day, the New Jersey Supreme Court sided with Gov. Chris Christie in a fight with public worker unions over pension funds. New Jersey's top court overturned (5-2) a lower-court judge's order that told the Republican governor and the Democratic-controlled Legislature to work out a way to increase pension contributions for the current fiscal year.

(AP Photo/Mel Evans, file photo)

Recent protests at State Senate President Steve Sweeney's West Deptford home has sparked a new municipal ordinance introduced Wednesday, according to Philly.com.

West Deptford's Township Committee moved to ban picketing within 100 feet of a residential home and limit demonstrations to 10 people for one hour every two weeks.

Twice this month picketers gathered in front of Sweeney's home to protest over the murder of Carol Bowne in Berlin.

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, who had been sought in connection with the crime. He has been found dead.

Bowne was stabbed multiple times by her ex-boyfriend Michael Eitel, who then killed himself in another ex-girlfriend's home early this month.

She had applied on April 21 for a gun permit and had a restraining order against Eitel at the time of her death.

Protestors blame gun control measures Sweeney supports for Bowne's failure to receive the gun permit she desired.

West Deptford Republican Committeeman Jeff Hansen, who abstained from voting on the measure Wednesday, said he would like to see residents protected from being harassed at their homes, but wants to see that any measure put into place does not step on the First Amendment rights of protesters.

"I think you really have to do the research and due diligence and hopefully we can make an educated decision," he said.

Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@southjerseymedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.