Politicians condemn New York newspaper that published gun owner map

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Politicians condemn New York newspaper that published gun owner map

By Peter Rudegeair
NEW YORK | Fri Jan 4, 2013 6:49pm EST

(Reuters) - New York-area politicians denounced on Friday a local newspaper that has revealed the names and addresses of thousands of holders of gun permits, and they asked state legislators to make such information confidential.

The decision by the Journal News, which serves the suburbs just north of New York City in Westchester and Rockland counties, to publish the identities was "deplorable" and "reckless," Rockland County legislator Frank Sparaco told a news conference, adding that it "has posed a serious threat to the residents of Rockland."

Inmates in local prisons have approached guards to say they know their home addresses, Rockland County Sheriff Lou Falco told the news conference.

The newspaper, which is owned by the Gannett Co, published a map with the names and addresses of permit-holders in Westchester and Rockland counties on December 24. It did so in the aftermath of the December 14 massacre of 20 children and six adults at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/04/us-usa-guns-newspaper-idUSBRE9030Y820130104

[NYC_SKP]

1. I read here that some members think this is an OK thing to do.

Supposedly, it's OK because your address isn't secret anyway, so what's the problem, they ask.

Bullshit.

I shouldn't have to explain why it's wrong.

grrrrr

[MightyMopar]

2. Public information is called public information because it's public

[NYC_SKP]

4. And highly publicizing public information for political purpose is called intimidation.

Should we publish a map of addresses including your name if you:

Had a DUI?

Wear diapers?

Were caught pissing in the park one night?

Are a self declared member of the ACLU or SPLC?

Any of these might be public information, that doesn't fucking make it OK to put your name on a list with addresses and publish it.

I can't believe the depth of ignorance and disrespect by a few on this site.

Unbelievable.

[MightyMopar]

9. Personally I hope "anonymous" outs all gun owners and gun dealers

The time has come to end America's sick gun culture.

[gejohnston]

10. the ATF has a directory of all dealers

it wouldn't be that hard.

[slackmaster]

11. Gun dealers are very easy to find

You can look them up in the Yellow Pages, or online.

[NYC_SKP]

12. Will never ever ever happen. Anonymous needs an army.

How you don't see that amazes me.

[slackmaster]

6. California vehicle registrations are public information but the DMV won't give out a registrant's...

...home address.

At least not since 1994.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_Schaeffer

Publishing the fact that someone has a gun permit would be quite different from publishing the fact that the person has a permit AND the person's home address.

The former is fucked up. The latter is fucked up like a football bat.

[NYC_SKP]

13. +1,000

WTF is wrong with people?

[slackmaster]

14. I think it's two things - 1. Generate controversy to sell newspapers, and 2. The publisher...

...doesn't like gun owners.

[Jenoch]

17. If this 'public' information is so easily

attainable, why did the newspaper need to use the FOI legal maneuver to get the names and addresses?

[doc03]

3. 1st Amendment

[bossy22]

5. that doesnt mean it's right

While I support the right of the newspaper to do this, I do think it is very short sighted.

[doc03]

7. While I support your right to keep and bear arms, I don't think you have the

right to own a weapon that can kill dozens of people in 30 seconds.

[bossy22]

15. What?

your comment makes no sense in lieu of our discussion. How does publishing pistol permit holder names' equate with what you say?

[doc03]

16. Well the paper is practicing their 1st Amendment rights but some people

think their rights end when they don't like what they say. I support your 2nd Amendment rights but I think your rights end when you have a gun that can kill dozens of people in seconds.

[burrfoot]

8. I agree...

Legal, yes.

Smart, moral, appropriate? Nope.

If any of the people on that list are robbed, I REALLY hope they bring it up, every chance they have, that they were included in this.