Roanoke Times Will Not Re-Post List

Charlotte, NC (TLS). In a statement released Wednesday, the Roanoke Times newspaper in Roanoke, Virginia stated that it would not re-post the list of owners of concealed handguns. The announcement came in response to word from government officials in Virginia that the list did not contain the names of protected persons.

Thus, while the Times is apparently in the clear with regard to running afoul of state law, the newspaper stated that it would not republish the list of gun owners, citing Christian Trejbal's initial story as 'merely an example of freedom of information.' Stating that it did not intend to target a group of private citizens maliciously, the Times contends the objective of Trejbal's article was met and there is therefore no need to re-post the information. The Times had removed the list under threats of legal action and questions concerning the legality of publishing some of the names.

However, when one reads Trejbal's editorial column, the nature, tone, and tenor of the rhetoric is clearly hostile to gun owners, in spite of the newspaper's claim that the list was merely published as an 'example of freedom of information.' Such a claim would be credible were it not for one major, central factor--Christian Trejbal's own words in his editorial column. The list must be viewed within the context of the writer's own words.

Within that column, which is a matter of public record, Trejbal makes several statements questioning the prudence of private ownership of handguns. In addition, he states that citizens in Virginia 'have a right to know if their neighbor is packing heat.'

Excuse me, Mr. Trejbal, but who says so? Law abiding citizens minding their own business have no legal obligation to disclose to anyone they are carrying a gun in the United States of America. It is called liberty, and it is protected in the U.S. Constitution under the provisions of the Second Amendment.

In refusing to condemn the practice of Christian Trejbal in attempting to shame and target gun owners, the Roanoke Times has continued to make itself vulnerable to multi-million-dollar lawsuits brought by those whose security and personal safety were compromised by the publication of that list. The lame excuse that Trejbal was merely giving an example of freedom of information, when he essentially compared gun owners to child molesters, is reason enough to totally dismiss their explanation.

Now that Trejbal has opened this can of worms, the 'freedom of information' to know which citizens are carrying concealed handguns may be very shortlived. Legislators in the state of Virginia have asked the state Attorney-General for an opinion, which many observers say is a signal that the next legislative session may pass a law protecting the privacy of such information.

In the long run, Trejbal and the Roanoke Times may have done gun owners a big favor.

In the meantime, the citizens should continue to cancel their subscriptions and talk to their attorneys about legal action against Trejbal and the Roanoke Times.