Google Custom Search

Monday, April 09, 2007

IMPORTANT GUN NEWS FROM VIRGINIA

Washington, DC (TLS). The Liberty Sphere has learned that the Attorney-General of the state of Virginia has issued an opinion concerning the practice of some newspapers of publishing the names of concealed gun owners. Virginia Attorney-General Bob McDonnell issued an advisory opinion stating, 'Use of concealed carry permit information is limited to law-enforcement personnel for investigative purposes. Identities and locations of crime victim and witness permittees should be protected in the interest of public safety.'

Thus, the names and address of Virginia residents who apply for concealed handgun permits will no longer be available under the Freedom of Information Act.

Reporter Christian Trejbal of the Roanoke Times created a firestorm of controversy after publishing the database of concealed carry permit holders. So strong was the public outrage that the newspaper took down the database from its website just two days after its publication.

Observers of Virginia politics stated that elected officials in the state are gearing up for legislation to be introduced next year that would effectively bar news outlets from publishing the names and addresses of concealed gun owners. The first step in that process would be to get an opinion from the state's Attorney-General.

The fact that Attorney-General McDonnell's advisory opinion clearly refutes the practice of publishing the database suggests that the legislature now has the green light to pass a bill forbidding anti-gun bigoted newspapers such as the Roanoke Times from publishing such information in the future.

Thus, it is beginning to look like the imbecilic notion of targeting gun owners on the part of Christian Trejbal and the Roanoke Times has backfired. Their actions may well be the start of a nationwide effort to legally prevent news outlets from publishing the names of those with permits for concealed carry.

Such a push is long overdue. The practice puts citizens in mortal danger, such as single mothers hiding from abusive husbands.

Thus, there is good news coming out of Virginia today!

No comments: