News paper publishes public info.

[ran]

I'm sure most of us have read about the News Paper that published names of legal hand gun owners in Up State NY.

I was wondering what everyone here thought about that. Me , I don't really care. Not because I don't live there but more because I just assume that everyone other then me has one. But some of the arguments that I've been reading , especially from the people who have guns , has , with no pun intended , blown me away.

Is this a public service ? An invasion of privacy ? Is there anything to be gained , lost , by any of this ?

Someone , anyone ?

[walto]

As I understand it, it's already public information, and anybody who wanted it could have gotten it the same way the newspaper did. I don't have any guns myself, but I guess I'd prefer it if bad guys (i) didn't know this (and I DO have a baseball glove and vinegar, bad guys!!); and (ii) didn't know where to rummage to find their own guns at other people's houses.

I dunno, there's probably also some good that comes of it too, but I can't think of what it is right this second.

[jesus marion joseph]

I'm of a split opinion; part of me sympathizes with the desire to remain anonymous, but the other side of me says that as long as it's not "infringing" on anyone's right to bear arms as part of the promotion of a well regulated militia (and arguably gun ownership can be argued to do so in an indirect manner) there is nothing wrong in publishing what is already available as public information, as walto points out. The Constitution does not guarantee the right to bear arms in complete anonymity, so if you don't want your address maintained as a public record don't register to own a gun (or hold a driver's license or real estate sales license, or apply for a zoning variance for your property etc., etc.)

[jazzbluescat]

I'm sure most of us have read about the News Paper that published names of legal hand gun owners in Up State NY.

I was wondering what everyone here thought about that. Me , I don't really care. Not because I don't live there but more because I just assume that everyone other then me has one. But some of the arguments that I've been reading , especially from the people who have guns , has , with no pun intended , blown me away.

Is this a public service ? An invasion of privacy ? Is there anything to be gained , lost , by any of this ?

Someone , anyone ?

I saw somewhere that a gun rights group(not the NRA) published or posted on the internet the reporter's address along with a picture of his house. I agree with an above poster, I wouldn't want the bad guys knowing my name and address.

[ran]

On the face of it , I'm almost sure that I disagree with what that newspaper did. On the other hand I'm almost sure that what they did is what newspapers are suppose to do. I'm no scholar on matters of our constitution. But if any one amendment is to allowed to be unfettered, in my opinion it is the 1st. And the fact that this has been bought and corrupted by corporations , who's only interest is profit , has allowed the debate of our 2nd amendment to be silenced. How is it that year in and year out that our high court takes on cases on every amendment and in that process tweaks , makes new laws , but on the 2nd amendment , there seems to be an absolute. How is this possible ?

EDIT: There are great many different and complex issues to be dealt with , with respect to this issue. All I'm advocating is being open minded about all the issues and that none of them are off the table. Including in my opinion about the understanding , misunderstanding of what the 2nd amendment means.

[bigtiny]

I have a problem with it. While the Constitution guarantees the papers' right to publish this info, the question that an educated, intelligent readership needs to ask is "Why are they publishing this information?" It's not news. It's information being used exert political pressure and brand those who own guns in this community. I had the same problem 20 years ago when the newspapers back in my hometown, started running a weekly list of booking info and photographs of people arrested that week for soliciting or selling sexual activity. Clearly the aim there was to embarass and further damage the reputation of anybody caught doing this. However, the lists didn't include those arrested for burglary, armed robbery, assault, murder, etc. -- just those caught soliciting prostitutes or those accepting the solicitations.

For the record, I don't own a handgun and I've never been arrested for anything.


bigtiny

[RainyDay]

It's public information so I don't see what the issue is. If I had minor children living with me, I'd want to know if the families of their friends have guns in their homes. That's the only value I can see. I'm not sure how you are put in jeopardy if the community knows you are armed. Seems like you make life easier for the criminals so that they know who to avoid. Unless you are like many Americans who don't lock up their guns, have no home security and the guns are stolen. That's not good. Those guns are at risk anyway.

As for the First Amendment issue, gun advocates want an unrestricted Second Amendment, free speech advocates want an unrestricted First Amendment. Pot, meet kettle--live long and prosper.

[jazzbluescat]

This guy provided a disservice to honest gun owners by public printing their names and addresses. Wonder how many of those owners will be victimized by someone burglarizing their home specifically for their guns(?).

I'm not a fanatic. But, when you take guns away from the bad guys, e.g. home invaders, thieves and robbers, I'll GLADLY give up my target shooting and guns. Furthermore I don't quite understand, except public hysteria, all the talk, "get rid of assault guns" talk. They've been illegal for several years. All we have to do is enforce them.

I'm all FOR more thorough background checks. And gov agencies need to be more in touch with private mental health care providers in order to prevent gun sales to the mentally unbalanced.

[walto]

It's public information so I don't see what the issue is. If I had minor children living with me, I'd want to know if the families of their friends have guns in their homes. That's the only value I can see. I'm not sure how you are put in jeopardy if the community knows you are armed.

For me the question is whether I want the community to know my family is unarmed.

[jesus marion joseph]

So apply for a permit. Nobody says you have to actually buy a gun.

[walto]

That's an interesting suggestion (although I'd just assume my friends didn't think I have guns around--they might stop visiting).

But...what's it cost?