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NY County Clerk Not Backing Down: Releasing Gun Owner Information ‘Puts My Public in Danger’

Jan. 3, 2013 11:01pm
NY County Clerk Dennis Sant: Releasing Gun Owners Information Puts My Public in Danger

Glock pistol with a 17 round magazine is seen on December 18, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Credit: Getty Images

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York county clerk justified his refusal to release the names and addresses of handgun permit holders to a newspaper, saying it would give stalkers and thieves a convenient roadmap to target potential victims — and determine whether they have a gun.

“This certainly puts my public in danger,” Putnam County Clerk Dennis Sant said Thursday following a news conference in which he was backed by the county executive and other elected officials.

The Journal News, which serves New York City’s northern suburbs, sparked an outcry last month when it published clickable online maps with the names and addresses of pistol permit holders in Rockland and Westchester counties.

When the newspaper requested the same information from Putnam, Sant initially said the county needed more time to fulfill the request. Sant balked entirely this week, saying the law gives him the prerogative to refuse to release public information if it endangers the public. Judges and police officers could be targeted by the people they put behind bars, he said. People with orders of protection have expressed concern to him about would-be attackers finding them through the database.

While anyone can come into his office and file the necessary paperwork to request information on individual permits, Sant said the difference is that the Journal News plans to publish the information in a way that makes it accessible to everyone, instantaneously.

“First of all, it tells criminals who doesn’t have a gun,” he said. “It gives a burglar or it gives a thief a map.”

The Journal News’ database and accompanying story, “The Gun Owner Next Door,” was published as part of the newspaper’s coverage following the Newtown, Conn., school shooting. Some readers say it unfairly stigmatized gun owners, branding them in the same way as online maps showing where child molesters live. The newspaper says it received threats and has posted armed guards at its offices.

Journal News Publisher Janet Hasson did not respond to several requests for comment Thursday but has issued statements previously standing behind the newspaper’s project and maintaining residents have a right to see such public information.

Diane Kennedy, president of the New York News Publishers Association, said she reached out to Hasson offering support. She said editors may debate whether the Journal News should have published the database, but they fully backed the newspaper’s right to access public records under New York’s Freedom of Information Law. If the issue went to court, she said, member newspapers would file a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the Journal News.

“It’s really clear cut,” Kennedy said. “The existing law doesn’t have exemptions in it. It says this information is subject to FOIL.”

Rex Smith, editor of the Times Union in Albany, N.Y., said : “There is a broad consensus that the kind of resistance to the FOIL application that we’re seeing in Putnam County is intolerable.”

The denial of similar information to The Wall Street Journal by New York City’s police commissioner led to a case that in 1981 was decided in favor of the newspaper.

But Sant says that times have changed.

“The technology today is so different,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity of bringing to the magistrates that this is not 30 years ago.”

Several attempts to pass a law that would shield gun permit holders’ personal information have failed to pass the legislature in recent years.

Experts say the county may have a difficult time defending the refusal, because New York state law classifies the data as public.

“The argument has been made and rejected,” said Robert Freeman of the State Committee on Open Government. “There’s never been any indication that disclosure resulted in any jeopardy.”

Edward S. Rudofsky, a New York attorney who specializes in the First Amendment, added, “I don’t see why technology makes this any more or less sensitive than it would otherwise be.”

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Comments (71)

1 2
  • Beck_Art_Of_Obama_In_PeePee
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 3:22am

    “Journal News Publisher Janet Hasson did not respond to several requests for comment Thursday but has issued statements previously standing behind the newspaper’s project and maintaining residents have a right to see such public information.”

    Oh? They want information from the public? So why did they blank out their website’s “Contact Us” links? That sound like a good story! Get a reporter on that right away!

    In the meantime, here are those links anyway (because Liberals are too stupid to cover ALL their tracks):

    http://mediakit.lohud.com/article/99999999/MEDIAKIT08/120501010

    Contact Us

    Janet Hasson
    President/Publisher
    The Journal News
    914.694.5204
    jhasson@lohud.com

    [continued next]

    Report this comment

    Beck_Art_Of_Obama_In_PeePee  
    • Beck_Art_Of_Obama_In_PeePee
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 3:24am

      [continued]

      George Troyano
      Vice President/Sales & Marketing
      914.694.5157
      gtroyano@lohud.com

      Eileen Zaccagnino
      Director/Digital Sales 914.696.8587
      ezaccagn@lohud.com

      [continued next]

      Report this comment

      Beck_Art_Of_Obama_In_PeePee  
    • Beck_Art_Of_Obama_In_PeePee
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 3:26am

      [continued]

      Scott Baker
      Director/Retail Sales Westchester
      914.694.5381
      sbaker@lohud.com

      [continued next]

      Report this comment

      Beck_Art_Of_Obama_In_PeePee  
    • Beck_Art_Of_Obama_In_PeePee
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 3:27am

      http://www.nyjnews.com/nyjjobs/

      The Journal News maintains a safe, drug-free workplace and pre-employment drug testing is required.
      To make the move that may make your career, send your resume to:
      The Journal News
      Human Resources-Recruitment
      1133 Westchester Ave.
      Suite N110
      White Plains, NY 10604
      Fax # 914-696-8174

      Report this comment

      Beck_Art_Of_Obama_In_PeePee  
    • qpwillie
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 7:10am

      @Beck_Art_Of_Obama_In_PeePee
      Great work, Beck_Art_Of_Obama_In_PeePee!!! We all need to get to work spreading this information around the internet. High count YouTube video comments is a good place to start. There are a lot of blogs and forums out there.

      Let’s all exercise our “freedom of information” rights.

      Report this comment

      qpwillie  
    • echo216610
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 7:15am

      I agree with beckartpeepee, they claim to want public opinion give it to them

      Report this comment

      echo216610  
    • ThePirateRagnar
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 8:22am

      This was my wife’s email letter to Ms. Hanson at the Journal News:

      Dear Ms. Hanson,

      Thank you publishing the list of law abiding gun permit holders and their addresses. As a woman and a gun owner, I am relieved to see that thanks to people like you, I will be left alone by any would be attackers due to the fact they will now know I have a weapon. I hope you carry one as well because it stands to reason that you could be a rapist’s, or mugger’s next victim. I however, I will not be.

      I believe you to be extremely ignorant and most likely could not tell the difference between a semi-automatic weapon and a bb gun, but a criminal can. I doubt you know what a semi-automatic shotgun does versus a semi-automatic pistol. I doubt you have been or know anyone who has been a victim of a violent crime. I doubt you know a single mother who has to protect her children from a home invasion.

      You see, women like you will never understand fear until you have actually felt it. Women like you think violence can’t happen to you until it does. You think you are doing some service to the community, but in reality, the only service you are providing is a sign on a law abiding gun owner’s front lawn that clearly states the person next door does NOT have a gun to protect themselves. God forbid something happens to an innocent person in one of those counties, whereas a caught criminal claims that he didn’t even have to “case” the house he intended to rob, because your “

      Report this comment

      ThePirateRagnar  
    • ThePirateRagnar
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 8:29am

      “newspaper” did it for him.

      Now, I understand you are from New York. And I appreciate that you people in New York are ignorant about things like the second amendment and lawful gun ownership. I understand that a gun to you is some evil thing rather than a tool to be used for sport, or hunting and if need be, protection. I understand that you have probably never shot a gun before. I understand that guns have never been a part of your life. But what you don’t understand is that for others in this country, owning a firearm or firearms is a way of life. It is as normal to us, as a Coach purse is to you (understanding that I believe it to be stupid and moronic to spend that kind of money on something I put my make-up and pocketbook in). For I have grown up in a safe and loving household where guns were sold and traded and fired almost everyday. And those people and those guns have never broken the law and never hurt anyone.

      Now, from the point of sheer ignorance, people like you think they can influence policy and agenda over people like me. But people like me will not become sheep to the wolf. Because of these shootings you should understand one thing quite clearly Ms. Hanson; there ARE wolves out there. And the way to handle them is on equal footing. And for me and other women in this country, a firearm is the ONLY equalizer.

      I pray you never have to face a dangerous encounter with an armed criminal. For what you fail to comprehend is that criminals by definit

      Report this comment

      ThePirateRagnar  
    • ThePirateRagnar
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 8:39am

      definition will always find a way to break the law, to harm people and yes, to even kill the most innocent of us. But unless we are willing to protect them from every possible threat, unless we are willing to put ourselves on the same equal footing as those that would do us or our children harm, then we will become sheep. And we will suffer loses, because wolves fail to abide our wishes.

      Think about this. What would happen if the United States decided to dismantle and destroy it’s entire nuclear arsenal. Would the rest of the world do the same? Would Russia destroy theirs? How about Iran and North Korea? Would they end their programs as a good faith measure for peace and unity around the world? No. We know this. We know there is evil in the world, so what is our deterrent? Our own Nuclear arsenal. Do we wish to use a nuclear bomb? No. The cost to human life is extreme. But we have the weapons none the less because it assures us safety from attack. Now we don’t tell other countries how many missiles we have or where they are located. And we keep peace in this world and would be wolves at the door by the presumption of force. And this presumption on the part of our enemies is what keeps us safe.

      If you scale this down, you have one of the many reasons it is our duty to each other to be armed. To keep each other safe. To keep those who are evil from doing evil to us and others. Peace and safety is only achieved through strength, never weakness. And there can be no do

      Report this comment

      ThePirateRagnar  
    • ThePirateRagnar
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 9:41am

      doubt that what you are promoting with your newspaper is not the strength of the law abiding gun owner, but the weakness of those who are not.

      I hope you think about these things as you continue your endeavor.

      Report this comment

      ThePirateRagnar  
    • jungle J
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 10:14am

      anyone that doesn’t care if someone knows that they are carry a fire arm should not be carrying a firearm. When they know you are the have the advantage…HOW STUPID!!!!! It is like telling someone you are a martial artist.

      Report this comment

      jungle J  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on January 5, 2013 at 10:29pm

      Somebody pulled my reply to Beck Art.

      I don’t regret the loss of my comment, which I now regret making, as it demonstrated that I had entirely missed the point and had rushed in to comment without troubling my sleepy cerebellum in the slightest. I am, however, happy to live with my mistakes, and would far rather that my foolishness remain on view than to see the most important freedom reduced even by the slightest amount.

      It is the principle that counts. Free speech is constantly under attack, all the more so at the present time, and all free people should defend that precious and fragile freedom.

      I certainly do – to the point where most here are sick of me saying it, I’m sure, but just imagine living without it.

      @ The Blaze

      Please put my silly comment back…

      Report this comment

      nzkiwi  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on January 6, 2013 at 2:45am

      And I should add my belated apology to Beck Art

      Report this comment

      nzkiwi  
  • donttreadonryan
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 3:09am

    Can I further share just how out of control this oversensitive to guns thing has gotten.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9776560/Six-year-old-suspended-for-making-gun-gesture.html

    I’m not one for outside influence but really. Why did this not make headline?

    Colt Fors said it best. “I ain’t backin up I ain’t backin down been raised up to stand my ground…give me my right to vote my right to tote the weapon of my choice don’t censor my voice…”

    Report this comment

    donttreadonryan  
  • ThoreauHD
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 3:02am

    This is why there should be no gun registration- ever.

    Report this comment

    ThoreauHD  
  • Obamujahadeen
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 2:54am

    The left winger has definitely had some issues growing up to have come to adulthood with the upside down thinking they present the world each and every day, like this misguided idiocy.

    As the SOS said, it’s a roadmap for criminals, and they’re too stupid to realize it. Or they just don’t care, and will use any methodology to press their suicidal worldview as they take the rest of us down with em…. Freaking pathetic, misguided, ObaMorons.

    Report this comment

    Obamujahadeen  
  • drenfroe
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 2:07am

    Americans don’t bow down to communists. Keep going after the journalist and all who work for themand their information, photographs of their people and residences. Fight fire with fire.

    Report this comment

    drenfroe  
  • P8TR10T
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 1:10am

    Hmmmm….. gosh, I am sure glad they don’t post which schools have and don’t have armed teachers. Oh wait, none do.

    Report this comment

    P8TR10T  
  • scrapadapolis
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 1:08am

    Wanna know whats not on that map?People like me that didn’t want to jump through a liberal hoop and pay alot of money for a pistol permit.I will tell you for all that dont see my posts.Im an oath keeper and have a stoeger assult 12 gauge shotgun loaded with 6 rounds of 00 buck,And several other you die comming into my house without permission rounds.It’s people like me you that you DO NOT WANT TO TRY. I HAVE NO FEAR OF DEFENSE OF MY HOME AND FAMILY.P.S I DON’T PUKE AT THE SIGHT OF BLOOD.

    Report this comment

    scrapadapolis  
  • donttreadonryan
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:53am

    IyIn an attempt to contact anyone involved with the Journal News via their website; I was given a blank section. This to me proves their cowardice. I have already written their advertisers and attempted to contact any of the info provided by the blogs to demandcfompliamce with the publics will. Any ideas aside from flying myself out from the left coast to picket their homes and heavily armed offices?

    What they have done is reprehensible,immoral, and dangerous. Not only for the people exercising their second amendment right; but for themselves and our nation as whole.

    A message to The Journal. When and if you ever truly need an armed citizen that understands animal husbandry, hunting,fishing and farming; as well as other survival needs. GOOD LUCK. we refuse to help help cowards!

    Report this comment

    donttreadonryan  
  • rsanchez1
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:45am

    It’s only OK for the newspaper to get guns to defend itself. It’s not ok for the people whose lives the newspaper is putting in danger to get guns to defend themselves.

    Report this comment

    rsanchez1  
  • SUNTZU
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:25am

    will make this easy.
    Get a map of West Virginia,now color it red,
    These are all the gun owners in the state
    .
    there are 19 states and the district of columbia that does not have
    reciprocity and are not aloud to carry concealed in our state,
    does not mean they are unarmed ,but if your going to
    take the chance thats your best bet.
    However we are known to lookout for our friends,neighbors,and
    visitors so maybe you should just grab a cup of coffee,gasup
    and keep moving

    Report this comment

    SUNTZU  
  • Tree_Butcher
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:20am

    Wow! Common sense out of a bureaucrat!

    His career is over…

    Report this comment

    Tree_Butcher  
  • MNYukon
    Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:12am

    Hope there is a law suit against that paper which will put them out of business. Lesson to be learned by all media.

    Report this comment

    MNYukon  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 1:03am

      New York State law says this is public information, so they can’t be sued for publishing it. The law just recognizes a difference between public information and private information, not public and more public.

      Report this comment

      Chet Hempstead  
    • sasquatch08
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 1:59am

      If someone is harmed as a result of this and there’s evidence the perp used this map, the paper is screwed.

      Report this comment

      sasquatch08  
  • eadamico70
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:56pm

    I understand the “Freedom of Information Act”, however, what about our right to privacy which is guaranteed by the Constitution? Those registered gun owners did not give them permission to use their name and addresses of all things. I don’t understand NY Law but where do we draw the line here. I agree w/those of you who state that criminals will think twice about entering a home of a gun owner, but what about the Govt? Just because the Constitution guarantees us rights, doesn’t mean this administration will follow it. Obviously there is an alterior motive here.

    Report this comment

    eadamico70  
    • BODYBAG
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:09am

      @EADAMICO70
      Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:56pm
      Obviously there is an alterior motive here.
      ———————————————–
      Always.
      Marxist intimidation.
      They want to change the narrative to:
      Legal CIVILIAN Gun Owner = Criminal

      Thats it in a nutshell.

      Report this comment

      BODYBAG  
    • SUNTZU
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:29am

      Have to remember The commies are in charge.

      Report this comment

      SUNTZU  
    • QuincySmith
      Posted on January 5, 2013 at 12:33pm

      eadamico70;

      There is no constitutionally guaranteed ‘right to privacy’. It is a Supreme Court contrivance (based on the 14th amendment). That being said, were I a New York registered gun owner, I would sue the paper (NY Times?) for violating my privacy rights. The supremes need to revisit their earlier decision.

      Report this comment

      QuincySmith  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:50pm

    Well off to court we go.

    It might take a trip all the way to the supreme court to say that gun ownership records is not covered by FOIA because of 4th amendment and undo search

    Report this comment

    TJexcite  
  • lylejk
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:40pm

    Here’s what I would do to the newspaper that posted the names and addresses of registered gun owners. Every one of these individuals, should they be assaulted, bring tremendous lawsuits to bankrupt the newspaper. Also, if any individual gets assaulted that does not have any guns, they should bring lawsuits against the newspaper too since they were outed as not having a gun to defend themselves. Also, I do wish all the folks that get this newspaper cancel their subscription to this idiot publication until then indeed go bankrupt. I’m all for free press until they put lives intentionally in danger, then they should get cut. News organizations are in the wrong when they become the news and these dolts have exceeded that point and should be severely punished for this. The potential harm negates any first amendment rights in this case. For instance, you can’t shout fire when there is no fire in a movie theater for instance. Also, we do have the expectation to the right of privacy here in the states (Roe vs. Wade for instance). :)

    Report this comment

    lylejk  
    • toto
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 7:29pm

      Perhaps the saddest result of Democratic dominance in politics over the past years since the beginning of the Clinton years is the overwhelming cynicism and ill I have for so many people. I don’t like feeling this way, but these people are so evil and so destructive to the America I love that I just can’t help it. How different times are from when I grew up so full of hope and believing that most people loved America, though they might have different opinions, we all could be what ever we dreamed we could be if we worked hard enough for it. White, black, Asian, immigrant, didn’t matter. Accomplishments were what mattered, not how well you could work the system for entitlements.

      Report this comment

      toto  
  • IndyGuy
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:38pm

    Force the editor of the paper to hang out on the streets of Chicago at night for a week and he’ll understand the need for guns…If he survives…

    Report this comment

    IndyGuy  
  • Bigmac1947
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:32pm

    Several thousand gun owners that were singled out should file law suits at once and force the paper to defend their actions and cause them to close the doors on the paper to offset legal fees. Put them out of business. They have put thousands of people in harms way. Also, go picket their homes and draw attention for the criminals. Do what the SEIU does.

    Report this comment

    Bigmac1947  
    • BODYBAG
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:13am

      Trust that there is indeed an attorney somewhere right now figuring the angle on a class action

      Report this comment

      BODYBAG  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:27pm

    That county clerk deserves a raise.

    Report this comment

    LeadNotFollow  
  • jonhova
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:25pm

    “First of all, it tells criminals who doesn’t have a gun,” he said. “It gives a burglar or it gives a thief a map.”

    Exactly.

    Report this comment

    jonhova  
    • Mstr Smith
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 3:21am

      You are right…I am sure it is what they wanted. The Company gives criminals the info they need to commit more crime, so they can use that info for more gun control.

      Report this comment

      Mstr Smith  
  • nzkiwi
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:23pm

    For the first time ever I going to do a “copy & paste”. I’m not being lazy, I just think that this point applies as much here as it did in the other story, and it is a point that I think many are missing. My apologies if you disagree.

    ————————————————–

    I don’t quite understand why gun owners are objecting so much about the fact that such ownership is being published.

    If I lived there, I would be proud of my status as a gun owner. Further, if criminals are looking to see which homes to invade, they are likely to steer clear of a residence with guns because they are, most often, cowards.

    “The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.” – George Washington

    Also, a gun owner is, by definition, a patriotic American.

    “Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth.” – George Washington again.

    Those that would confiscate one’s weapons, or cast aspersions against gun owners, are either hoplophobic or have a sinister motive.

    “Germans who wish to use firearms should join the SS or the SA – ordinary citizens don’t need guns, as their having guns doesn’t serve the State” – Heinrich Himmler

    Be confidently proud of your weapons, and the history and honour behind them.

    Report this comment

    nzkiwi  
    • TH777
      Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:32pm

      NZKIWI: Gun owners aren’t complaining about people knowing “they” own guns. They’re thinking about the safety of the people who aren’t on that list. It makes those other people easy targets for criminals. Think about that. It’s really not a difficult concept.

      Report this comment

      TH777  
    • BODYBAG
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:05am

      Good post.

      Report this comment

      BODYBAG  
    • DYNA
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:07am

      @NZKIWI

      The gun owners are protesting because their freewill was violated with the unauthorized invasion of their privacy with a nefarious motive.

      Report this comment

      DYNA  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:08am

      @ TH777

      Yes, I take that point but there have also been a large number of people complaining about being singled out. Even in this story it was mentioned that many felt this action “…unfairly stigmatized gun owners…”.

      I am a gun owner, and in my country we now have to go through a fairly exhaustive police interview before we can get a licence (this was in response to a mass shooting some number of years ago) to determine whether we are people of good character.

      An unintended consequence of this is that gun owners here have little trouble cashing checks or other things of that nature, as people know that one has been closely examined and found to be a decent and upright person.

      I possess my weapons with no small pride, although I would prefer that our laws more closely resmbled yours.

      Report this comment

      nzkiwi  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:11am

      @ Dyna

      I take your point as well. I guess I overstated things. My apologies.

      Report this comment

      nzkiwi  
  • KingCoal59
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:21pm

    Good for her.

    Report this comment

    KingCoal59  
  • TH777
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:17pm

    Fight the good fight Dennis Sant!! Proud of you!

    Report this comment

    TH777  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:15pm

    Should not even have the information to begin with,but bless his heart for standing his ground!

    Report this comment

    Smokey_Bojangles  
    • OlefromMN
      Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:33pm

      That is the root SB. They should not have a easily searched database of gun owners. This paper has pointed out a problem that they do not even realize. If the government knows who is armed, what’s to stop it from raiding all possible resistance first before they instill tyranny?

      Report this comment

      OlefromMN  
  • Magyar
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:14pm

    Yea—someone with common sense and a PAIR!

    Report this comment

    Magyar  
  • BODYBAG
    Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:06pm

    Dont back down.
    We need to see some public officials grow a spine and a pair.
    Start doing whats right by The People for a change.

    Report this comment

    BODYBAG  
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