Ohio Newspaper Under Fire for Outing Gun Owners

[conner_condor]

An Ohio newspaper's decision to publish the non-public records of concealed carry permit holders drew a strong response, and one gun rights advocacy group published personal but public information about the newspaper's editor.

The Sandusky Register on June 24 published the names, ages and home counties of the almost 2,700 concealed carry permit holders in its circulation area. Ohio gun laws restrict public access to concealed carry records but allow the media to access them.

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200707/NAT20070705a.html


So much for privacy....

[Champlain Islander]

The media and public are the same thing. I don't get why they should have access to something the general public can't. They aren't any form of LEO or government/ court employees. Sounds like gun owners and sportsmen should boycott the rag. If they don't sell papers then they have no power.

[BenGarrett]

ORIGINAL: Champlain Islander

The media and public are the same thing. I don't get why they should have access to something the general public can't.

You're exactly right, and that's the way records databases are set up in every local, state or federal jurisdiction I've ever been involved in. Apparently Ohio operates a bit differently. If they're giving these records out, I wonder how they discern who is legitimate "news media" and who isn't. Does the press outlet have to be accredited by being a member of the Associated Press? Of the state press association? Bloggers have a legitimate gripe that they should be granted press credentials and anyone can start a blog. Is affiliation with Pajamas Media enough to get access to the records? Those records should not be released, period.

[Fox72]

http://ohioccwforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=11604

There is no standard definition of "media" in Ohio for the purpose of concealed carry info dissemination. There are several good threads on this website, http://ohioccwforums.org , about this subject. Many efforts are out to get the heat on these advertisers. This info that the newspapers publish supply a shopping list for criminals and a way for abusive people to find ex spouses that wish to remain hidden. I hope the rag gets hammered.