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Town Police Chief Issues Warning on Facebook About Newspaper’s Request for Gun Permit Information

Feb. 14, 2013 4:37pm Madeleine Morgenstern

Milo, Maine Police Chief Issues Warning on Facebook About Newspapers Request for Gun Permit Information

A map published by New York’s Journal News pinpointing the homes of residents with gun permits. The Milo, Maine police department has warned residents it has been required to turn over similar data. (Image source: lohud.com)

The police chief of a central Maine town has taken to Facebook to warn residents that he has been asked to turn over the names of all concealed weapons permit holders at the request of the local newspaper.

Milo Police chief Damien Pickel posted on the department’s Facebook page Thursday that he had received a state Freedom of Access Act request from the Bangor Daily News.

“This request, which has been sent to every police agency in the state, is requesting the ‘names, addresses, and dates of birth’ of concealed weapons permit holders maintained by the town of Milo,” Pickel wrote. “I have spoken to the Maine Attorney General’s Office and am informed the request is legitimate and lawful.”

He continued, “Personally, I am opposed to releasing ANY information regarding concealed carry permit holders. I find it will create a unsafe environment not only for those who are legally permitted to have a concealed weapon, but also those who do not.”

Referring to the recent public outcry after New York’s Journal News published an interactive map pinpointing the homes of gun permit holders, Pickel noted that several burglaries took place after New York residents’ addresses were published and said the Bangor Daily News was requesting the same type of information.

The Journal News ultimately removed the names and addresses from its map after about a month, though later admitted the records they used included “outdated, inaccurate data.”

Pickel suggested Milo residents contact their local government representatives and the governor, Republican Paul LePage, to express their views.

“While I personally oppose releasing this information to the Bangor Daily News, I am legally bound to do so and as the chief law enforcement officer of the town, I must comply with it,” Pickel wrote. “As always, I am just providing you with information I believe you have a right to know.”

Image source: Milo Police Department Facebook page

Pickel did not immediately return a request for comment from TheBlaze, nor did Bangor Daily News managing editor Susan Young about his post.

Anthony Ronzio, the newspaper’s director of news and new media, said in an editor’s note published Thursday afternoon that they have no intention of releasing “identifying information about permit holders.”

“The BDN has never had any intention to release identifying information about permit holders, and said so in our request. We recognize how sensitive this information is, and made sure police agencies knew of this intent,” Ronzio wrote.

He said they requested the concealed weapons permits information “as part of long-term reporting projects on domestic violence, sexual assault and drug abuse” and called the “wholesale publication of permit holder information” as done by the Journal News “irresponsible.”

“Again, no identifying information about permit holders will be published, and no stories specifically about permit holders are planned,” Ronzio wrote.

Nevertheless, the newspaper’s request made waves around the state Capitol Thursday, with Republican state representatives and Gov. LePage registering their outrage, the Kennebec Journal reported. LePage even took to Twitter to post a photo of himself displaying his concealed-carry permit.

If newspapers want to know who has concealed weapons permits, they should know I do. yfrog.com/obernilsj

— Paul R. LePage (@Governor_LePage) February 14, 2013

This post has been updated.

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Related:

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.

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Comments (115)

700P
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 8:17pm
These media activists need to be held up as examples to why we will no longer tolerate unconstitutional registration to include the expansion into a nationwide database requiring update each time we move as if we were criminals ( i.e. sex offenders).

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gs425
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 8:09pm
As in the NY cases, why is this info even available to the public? Who is responsible for putting this into law?

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RaydocX
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 7:32pm
In their zeal to attack the 2nd amendment, papers like this prove the danger of a gun registry, and will open themselves to legal action for citizens damaged either by being listed or by not being listed.

Free speech is protected, but you can’t shout fire in a crowded theater… Welcome to the intentional analogue in print and net ‘news’

Someone tell the Bangor paper this probably isn’t the ‘help’ Biden was asking for

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dodgedart1966
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 7:09pm
When Germany asked for their gold from the US gov’t. The answer was “Sure, it will take seven years.”
That should be the chief’s response to this request.

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progressiveslayer
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:54pm
The Bangor daily news should be more concerned with the illegal regime in DC raping the constitution and violating our rights instead of focusing on law abiding citizens who lawfully own a firearm. People who subscribe to that POS rag should cancel your subscription ASAP.

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Chuck T
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:52pm
In light of the fact that previous public disclosures of such information have resulted in burglaries of owners’ residences, including the theft of numerous weapons, and the disclosure of addresses of police officers’ home addresses – including undercover officers, such disclosure could legitimately be considered aiding and abetting criminal acts.

Since the police may not consciously condone or take part in such aiding and abetting, it should be illegal to turn over those records to a class of people (publishers) who have demonstrated a strong tendency – and intent – to disclose that information publicly. The newspapers claim that they won’t commit such disclosure is about the same as a person breaking into your house telling you that he isn’t going to take anything.

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Brian_Damage
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:30pm
Why should we even register ANYTHING?

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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:40pm
  The second amendment doesn’t require us to get a permit or register a firearm,it’s just that we’ve allowed progressives to pervert the second amendment over time. Congress doesn’t have the authority to even write a law with regards to the sale and ownership of firearms yet we allow them to get away with infringing on our right to bear arms.
  
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- dodgedart1966
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 7:14pm
  We register things because the gov’t wants a fee. That is all.
  why do I need a permit to build a shed in my yard? Or rebuild my porch? Or paint my house?
  The town wants another cut of my money.
  
  Report this comment
JULIKINS209
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:16pm
I think if the Chief has to give them permit holders, then at the same time on Facebook, publish all the names and addresses of everyone at the paper.

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Fellow_Citizen
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:16pm
Every time a “newspaper” does this, somebody should get all of the personal information of the owners and reports and publish that along with a map.

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Saff SGT
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:08pm
This paper can only survive as long as you Me folks want it to. Take control of your town and state stop getting pushed around, you are the real power not a left Wing news paper

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Saff SGT
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:05pm
This really great intelligence the Liberals are showing where they are and what they want. When the balloon goes up they wont be hard to find at all. FOI will become null and void

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Saff SGT
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:03pm
you have to be assertive with Liberal they all think Obama will protect them and of course most of them think they are above the Laws of the land

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myrwo6
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:02pm
Excuse my language and I’ll understand if my post isn’t posted but, this Anthony Ronzio is full of **** and I’m really getting tired of these people who want to add to a blatant liberal agenda and then lie about the intentions. It’s not the liberal agendas that gets to me but, it’s the lying of the question of why their doing it that gets to me.

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elmster
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:56pm
So proud of our chief, when he posted this morning we used social media to get the information out and the feedback to the BDN was crazy the paper after about three hours posted their editorial but by then it was to late. Their phone lines and email were lit up and business were canceling their advertisement one email we received back from them was this

Just spoke to Anthony Ronzio the Editor of the BDN. His story is they were looking for the info, not to publish the list but for research into domestic violence etc. I suggested they could do that by getting the number of permits issues instead of getting names, addresses, etc. They will discuss amending their FOIA request in that way. He wanted to assure me that they had no intention of publishing the list. I expressed that they may not have any intention of publishing it today but tomorrow that view could change, he might be fired or Sussman could buy the BDN. They have been very surprised by the “firestorm” this has created.

again nice to have a chief that understands to serve and protect, he truly feels the people have a right to know what is going on.

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Usa1Ing
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:56pm
Just ignore the information request ……… Obama and Holder set the example.

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The Big Mick
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:55pm
This isn’t the same town that had the “Let’s Get Pregnant” Gang a few years back is it?

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- afvetfirewoman
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 12:27pm
  no, that was Massachusetts – not surprising, is it?
  
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bumfuzeled
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:45pm
Just one more reason NOT to register. I carry concealed and legal without CC permit…or do I?

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KernelOfTruth
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:45pm
Interesting graphic, showing ALL THE HOLES IN THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

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worldleader
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:43pm
What is the problem? You send the names in the Navajo language the send the addresses in Mandarin Chinese language. Then “screw you” in American language.

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GuruMeditation
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:41pm
These people are idiots or they are being manipulated by some really evil forces. Or they are in league with some seriously evil forces.

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OKCguy
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:26pm
Dearest criminals,

Everyone at the Bangor Daily News is unarmed. If you would like to collect a few watches, wallets, purses, tablets and phones; hit their office up between the hours of 8am – 5pm on any weekday. It’ll be a cakewalk as they are opposed to the use of firearms for defense.

XOXO,
Armed

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MrKnowItAll
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:26pm
Big Problem….The Bad Guy’s are not on the List!

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OKCguy
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:21pm
Would it be lawful for me to file a FOIA request for:

- the name and address of those receiving public assistance
- the name and address of all state or municipal employees
- the name and address of all criminals
- the name and address of all registered residential security systems
- the name and address of all single moms
- the name and address of all registered democrats

Why then, is it acceptable to release this gun permit info? I am impressed by this Chief’s stand. I assume that he will have to release the info or face termination.

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Harpoon1212
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:20pm
I hope they all cancel their subscriptions to that newspaper. Of all places for this to happen, MAINE. That was the state I was going to flee to from MASS.

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- Saff SGT
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:12pm
  Me has turned into a Communist bay killing state the folks must take it back anyway they can
  
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Mike Benton
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:16pm
If the weapon can be kept concealed why not all information about it? Making this information public is illogical.

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