Community Corner

TELL US: Should Licensed Gun Owners' Information be Public?

If you are licensed to own a gun, would you want your name and address publicized?


A news publication in New York is under scrutiny for publishing the names and addresses of gun owners in certain parts of the state.  

Less than two weeks after the tragic shooting in Newtown, Conn., the New York Journal News earlier this week published the names and addresses of local gun owners in three New York counties.  

A story titled, "The gun owner next door: What you don't know about the weapons in your neighborhood," highlights the names and addresses of residents who are licensed to own handguns through Freedom of Information Law requests, according to The Huffington Post

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The Journal News reportedly requested the information from New York's Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties, though the publication was only able to obtain the names and addresses of those who have a license to own a handgun. 

The move has drawn considerable criticism from readers, some of whom claim the article has put those named in danger, as they could expose law enforcement officials who are licensed to own guns. 

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What do you think? Should the Journal News have published that information if it is public? Or has this compromised the privacy and safety of those individuals who are licensed to own guns? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.


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